Oil & Gas
By Anthony Isibor
THE Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has announced the start of the 2022 Mini Bid Round for new exploration and drilling activities in the prospective deep waters offshore Nigeria.
It also scheduled a pre-bid conference for Jan 16, 2023 to provide potential applicants with the opportunity to ask questions they may have concerning the Mini Bid Round process and requirements, after which interested companies will be invited to submit their pre-qualification applications by Jan 31, 2023.
The commission has also published the details of the Mini Bid Round, including the registration and prequalification requirements and detailed guidelines for applicants on br.nuprc.gov.ng, a dedicated programme portal for the bid.
It noted that the success of the Mini Bid Round will ensure that all stakeholders gain value from the country’s resources, whilst paying close attention to reduction in carbon emissions, as well as overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.
According to a statement signed by Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission’s Chief Executive, the Mini Bid Round is the first in a series of bid rounds, aimed at further development of the prospective petroleum basin.
Part of the statement reads:
“The Mini Bid Round will be managed by the NUPRC in line with the provisions of the PIA, as the statutory body responsible for ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, regulations, and guidelines in the Nigerian upstream petroleum industry.
“The National Data Repository, NDR, of NUPRC and our multi-client partners are delighted and ready to support the Mini Bid Round underpinned by high-quality datasets. The blocks have extensive 2D and 3D seismic data coverage, including multi-beam and analog data. Additionally, a remarkable quality, 3D MegaSurveyPlus reprocessed Pre-stack Time Migration (completed October 2022), with angle stacks and gathers is also available to prospective bidders. Links to all data can be accessed via the dedicated NUPRC portal.
“The Mini Bid Round is a market-driven programme and will follow a transparent and competitive procurement process designed to attract competent third-party investors from across the world that have the capability and proficiency in operating in deep-water environment.
“Historically, this Mini Bid Round intends to build on the successes of the last bid round that held in April 2007 during which a total of forty-five (45) blocks, drawn from the inland Basins of Anambra, Benue and Chad; the Niger Delta Continental Shelf; Onshore Niger Delta and Deep Offshore were put on offer. The 2007 bid round was held under a different regulatory regime (the Petroleum Act, 1969) and generated massive interest and participation with its attended revenue which made the exercise a success.”
In this year Mini Bid Round, seven (7) Offshore blocks covering an area of approximately 6,700 km2 in water depths of 1,150m to 3,100m is put on offer.
It is a great privilege to announce the Mini Bid Round 2022 and we look forward to the success of the upcoming events and activities.
KN
Tags: Anthony Isibor Gbenga Komolafe Mini Bid Round
