Nigeria Government Withdraws Five Oil Blocks from 2024 Bidding Round Due to Legal Disputes

The Nigerian Federal Government has removed five oil blocks from the ongoing 2024 licensing round due to legal disputes.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed the development in a recent circular.

The five oil blocks, identified as PPL3008, PPL3009, PML51, PPL267, and PPL268, are currently under various litigation, although NUPRC did not specify the litigants.

These blocks were among the 12 initially announced by NUPRC Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe at the Miami International Roadshow for the 2024 licensing round. The event was hosted by NUPRC in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria and Zetse Advisory & Consulting.

Originally, the NUPRC listed 12 oil blocks for bidding: PPL 300-CS, PPL 301-CS, PPL 3008, PPL 3009, PPL 2001, PPL 2002, PML 51, PPL 267, PPL 268, PPL 269, PPL 270, and PPL 271.

“However, PPL3008, PPL3009, PML51, PPL267, and PPL268 have been removed from the bid process due to ongoing litigation,” NUPRC stated in a notice.

The notice further clarified, “By the published guidelines, we have indicated that some of the assets on offer should be applied for as a single unit, namely: PPL 300-CS & PPL 301-CS, PPL 2000, and PPL 2001.”