NUPRC appoints new chief executive.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission announces fresh ambitions with the appointment of the new commission chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, who delivers clear message to advance the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 

While conducting her first town hall meeting with the Commission management and staff, the new executive disclosed plans to give the Commission a shake up and boost investments in the upstream sector. 

As she is giving special emphasis on production optimisation and increased gas output from Nigeria, Eyesan said, "The goal is that we must enable the industry, we are regulators. We must enable the industry from our interactions with the stakeholders, from our interactions with everybody.

“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the Center of the industry.”

The chief executive brings an extensive experience for more than three decades in the oil and gas sector, which she will be leveraging to increase digitalisation, transparency and efficiency in operations.

The CCE said with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC will become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also promised capacity development, stronger technical depth and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions and professional teams.

On leadership style, the CCE promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement. Eyesan also solicited for support and cooperation as the industry embarks on the next phase of transformation.

“If we work together we can unleash opportunities, I don’t see impediments only opportunities,” she said.

National Energy Compact will have a significant contribution in advancing the Mission 300.

Namibia inches ahead towards the Mission 300 -- a World Bank Group and African Development Bank-led initiative as it announces the launch of its National Energy Compact

A strategic framework to solidify the country's participation in the global initiative, the National Energy Compact will have a significant contribution in advancing the Mission 300 -- an initiative to make electricity accessible to 300 million people across sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Namibia's Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, has introduced the compact that aims to reduce Namibia's reliance on imported electricity. 

Alongside Mission 300, the compact is also relevant to Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan, which aims to bring together 200,000 households. It will also be advancing the National Integrated Resource Plan that has been put in place to achieve 80% electricity self-sufficiency and 70% renewable energy penetration.

Namibia presently generates around 40% of its power domestically, with the remaining 60% sourced from neighboring countries. 

In the exploration and production front, which is also one of the primary backbone to Namibia's power industry, several players are announcing promising revenues. The latest instance for this is Reconnaissance Energy Africa which has reported a productive 2025 in its year-end corporate operational performance. “We have had an active and productive 2025 in which we advanced the Company on multiple strategic fronts. We completed drilling our second well in the Damara Fold Belt resulting in encountering of significant hydrocarbons...While recently visiting Namibia after our Kavango West 1X well results, the partnership group operated by ReconAfrica and including NAMCOR and BW Energy, had the privilege of meeting Her Excellency President Nandi-Ndaitwah. We are grateful for the President’s recognition of the significance of hydrocarbons encountered in the Kavango West well and how the partnership can help support onshore hydrocarbon development and the long-term energy supply for Namibia,” said Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO.

NUPRC is aiming for a transparent licensing round. (Image source: NUPRC)

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has pledged to make sure that the 2025 Licensing Round is conducted with utmost transparency 

The Commission is dedicated to eliminating corruption from the process as its Chief Executive, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, announced that it is a danger to Nigeria's growth and prosperity, while speaking at the International Anti-Corruption Day.

According to him, unchecked corruption can have devastating effects on the oil and gas sector because of the high stakes and substantial revenues involved. One of the most effective ways that the Commission has been addressing this is by digitalising processes to replace bureaucratic handling.

“The most compelling illustration of this reality was the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round. For the first time in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, bid submissions were conducted fully online; commercial bidding was digital and real-time.

“Evaluation processes were automated, measurable, and auditable; human interference was deliberately minimised to near-zero levels. The outcome was a bidding exercise governed by competence instead of connection, process instead of persuasion, and merit instead of influence.

“This achievement did not go unnoticed. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) formally commended the process, verifying that the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round was conducted free of corruption and procedural compromise,” said Komolafe. 

He also called the Nigerian youth to participate in the upcoming licensing round, acknowledging their significance in advancing the country's petroleum sector. 

“That is why preparations for the Nigeria 2025 Licensing Round continue under the same digital framework, unchanged and uncompromised: This continuity answers a fundamental question asked by young Nigerians, which is: Is good governance temporary or permanent? Our response is clear. Integrity at the Commission is not episodic but institutional,” he said.

Speaking of NUPRC's role in Nigeria’s development as the regulator of the upstream petroleum sector, retired appeal court justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope-Okojie said, “The NUPRC regulates the wealth of Nigeria because oil accounts for over 80% of Nigeria’s FX and 70% of government revenue. It is a gatekeeper of Nigeria’s wealth. The Commission doesn’t just process documents but destiny. With this great duty comes great responsibility.”

“With the recent announcement of the 2025 licensing round, there is an opportunity for fresh players to step forward and demonstrate their capability. The time for the youth is now. Building on the success of the 2024 licensing round, I believe it will be transparent where the younger generation, who are frustrated, will be given more opportunities to participate in the award of licenses and leases.

“I believe it should be a deliberate policy; we need to give youths a chance to participate. They have done this in the tech space. They have produced the top unicorns in Africa. They can bring in the right partners to help Nigeria’s goal of increasing oil production,” she added.

Angola is key to BW Energy's strategy.

The Angolan offshore draws in more investors as BW Energy and Maurel & Prom have decided to be partners in one of the most prominent ventures in the region, Azule Energy 

Both the parties have formed a consortium and signed an agreement for a combined acquisition of 20% non-operated interest in Block 14 and 10% in Block 14K offshore Angola. In other words, BW Energy’s net share will be 10% in Block 14 and 5% in Block 14K.

Confirming that the company will be holding 10% in Block 14 and 5% in Block 14K alongside Maurel & Prom, whose experience it values, BW Energy's CEO, Carl K. Arnet said, “The entry to Angola is a key step in BW Energy’s West Africa growth strategy and provides further diversification of our resource base. Firstly, we see clear upsides beyond the current production in Block 14. And, more importantly, we build a position for potential future operated development opportunities in the country.”

“Angola is a mature hydrocarbon basin with an active M&A market and strong political support for the energy sector. We see attractive opportunities for BW Energy to apply our strategy of developing proven reserves and stranded assets through the re-use of existing energy infrastructure to unlock significant value over time,” he added, establishing the company’s long-term regional growth strategy in Angola. 

Block 14 is a mature deepwater asset comprising nine producing fields, while Block 14K is a tie-back to the main block. The asset is operated by Chevron, and the licence currently runs to 2038. Gross production is approximately 40 kbopd, with net to BW Energy at 4 kbopd. Current producing reserves are estimated at 9.3 mmbbls net to BW Energy, with several identified opportunities to further increase recoverable volumes. Abandonment and decommissioning costs are covered by existing provisions.