Nigeria clears 145 new oil wells in 2026

Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator has approved 145 new well-drilling operations in the first 10 months of 2026 as part of a drive to boost crude output, attract investment and strengthen energy security. Alongside the new wells, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has cleared 595 well re-entries and 39 field development plans (FDPs) so far this year. These figures, presented at an industry conference in Lagos on November 10, reflect a sharp increase in regulatory activity across the upstream sector.

Taken together, the 145 new well-drilling approvals and 595 re-entries amount to 740 oil drilling-related operations cleared between January and October 2026. The commission said the approvals are part of a broader strategy to expand productive capacity and support Nigeria’s oil production targets while improving the availability of energy in the domestic market.

NUPRC’s leadership describes the uptick in approvals as evidence of faster regulatory turnaround and efforts to cut project waiting times. The commission argues that shortening approval cycles helps reduce costs for operators and encourages earlier execution of drilling and development plans. Officials also indicate that regulatory certainty has made investors more willing to commit capital to Nigerian upstream projects.

The Petroleum Industry Act is cited by the commission as a factor strengthening confidence in the sector, particularly in areas such as seismic data acquisition. Increased investment in seismic work is expected to enhance geological understanding of Nigeria’s sedimentary basins, improve exploration decision-making and support the discovery of new hydrocarbon resources.

In parallel with the approvals, NUPRC reports that Nigeria’s total rig count in 2026 is more than 100.

Officials state that more than 100 rigs are present in the country, even though not all are active at any given time. NUPRC said the combination of increased approvals and higher rig utilisation is part of a coordinated effort to accelerate upstream investment and support higher output.

Alongside regulatory and investment measures, NUPRC has launched initiatives aimed at improving security in the oil and gas sector. These include an Advanced Cargo Declaration programme and coordinated surveillance that involves the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, private security firms such as Tantita Security Services and the Nigerian Navy.

The commission frames these efforts as part of a wider objective to create conditions in which legitimate oil production is more profitable than crude oil theft. By enhancing monitoring and enforcement while streamlining approvals, NUPRC aims to foster an operating environment that supports sustained upstream activity and reinforces Nigeria’s energy security goals.