FG commences 2022 mini bid round to improve offshore acreage

By Innocent Obasi

The federal government has announced the commencement of the 2022 mini bid round aimed at further development of the deep offshore acreages which will be held in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) made this disclosure in a recent  statement  signed by Gbenga Komolafe, the commission’s chief executive.

Komolafe said the National Data Repository (NDR) of the commission and multi-client partners will support the round with high quality datasets.

Highlighting the data which the commission will provide for prospective bidders, he said:

“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 is also available to prospective bidders.”

Komolafe noted that the bid round consists of seven offshore blocks which covers an area of about 6,700 square kilometres in water depths of 1,150 metres to 3,100 metres.

He explained that the success of the round will enable all stakeholders to gain value from the country’s resources, while ensuring reduction in carbon emissions, as well as overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

Furthermore, the chief executive said that a dedicated portal (br.nuprc.gov.ng) has been published by NUPRC which provides details of the bid round process. He also informed bidders about the pre-bid conference which is scheduled for 16 January 2023 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, after which interested companies will be invited to submit their pre-qualification applications by 31, January 2023.