The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Engineer Ganga Komolafe, says the Commission is implementing the Upstream Oil & Gas Decarbonisation & Sustainability Blueprint anchored on seven (7) critical pillars to signal direction for the industry sustainability and to future-proof the upstream sector and position it for investment attractiveness, sustained funding, and global competitiveness.
Komolafe, who stated this at the opening of the 48th SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, called on all Operators to collaborate with the commission as it incorporates decarbonisation measures in Field Development, Facility Engineering, and Production Operations to accrue the afore-mentioned benefits.
He commended the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) for being a leading light in fostering discourse on oil & gas matters and promoting engagements on contemporary energy issues.
“It is for this reason that we join voices with our industry leaders, the Honourable Ministers of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), and well-meaning industry stakeholders to felicitate with SPE Nigeria Council on the 48th National Annual International Conference and Exhibition – an industry annual event ever since its inception in 1976. There is no gainsaying that the SPE is global community of engineers, scientists and related energy professionals who
have contributed in no small measure to the body of knowledge and the advancement of the Oil & Gas industry as well as the growth of the national economy”, komolafe said.
“It is indeed an honour to join you today at this year’s edition with the theme, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy,” which captures the critical elements that must converge for the upstream sector to remain viable and aligned with global trends”.
“At the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), we see this theme not as a future aspiration but as a present mandate.
“As the Upstream Industry regulator, our responsibility goes beyond compliance. We are focused on enabling a stable, efficient, and forward-looking upstream sector, one that balances the imperatives of energy security, environmental responsibility, and economic sustainability.
“Technology is central to enabling a dynamic and vibrant industry. Today, we are witnessing a shift in exploration, development and production methods anchored on technological transformation. At the Commission, we are promoting technology adaptation and sanctioning novel technologies in all areas of E&P – from traditional operations to innovative approaches for decarbonisation and emission reduction.
“By the same token, the NUPRC has embraced technology in its regulatory operations to enhance service delivery, improve turnaround time and rejig its business process. These are not just technical upgrades; they are part of our broader effort to entrench transparency, promote accountability and reduce costs – all geared towards enabling industry growth and vitality.
“Similarly, we recognise that a reliable and vibrant supply chain is critical for reducing lead times, lowering costs, and strengthening national capacity. We have taken deliberate steps to create a regulatory environment that supports the growth of service companies, both international and indigenous. Our approach to regulatory enablement is geared towards domestication of technology, promoting local manufacturing, and enhancing overall supply chain resilience.
“Human capital remains the most valuable asset of our industry. The Commission continues to collaborate with institutions, professional bodies, and training providers to enhance skills development, promote technical excellence, and ensure that our workforce is prepared for the challenges of a low-carbon future. We therefore charge SPE and other industry associations to accept the challenge of manpower and contribute to repositioning the industry through targeted capacity-building and our engagement with young professionals, in consideration of the fast-evolving global energy landscape”, he concluded
The NUPRC Boss said Since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the Commission has so far gazetted twenty-one (21) key regulations, with others at various phases of development. These regulations provide the clarity required to support investment, streamline administration, and align upstream operations with national and global priorities.
“Permit me to highlight a few of these regulations that bears directly on the theme of this conference, including:
The Upstream Petroleum Measurement Regulations promote transparency and accountability through technology deployment for accurate production measurement.
The Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations, which directly support sustainability by tackling emissions and entrenching decarbonisation.
The Host Community Development Regulations, which enhance social inclusion and local participation in the energy value chain.
The Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation Regulations, which improve energy access and strengthen the local supply chain.
The Upstream Petroleum Safety Regulations, which ensure safe operations and workforce protection.
The Decommissioning and Abandonment Regulations set clear standards for responsible end-of-life asset management.
These instruments demonstrate our commitment to creating a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, secures long-term value, and ensures the responsible stewardship of Nigeria’s upstream resources” he said.
Beyond regulation, Komolafe said the Commission was implementing core initiative to drive positive industry actions and imperatives.
According to him, just last week, the Commission assembled industry practitioners to deliberate on a workable strategy to foster cluster development in the shallow and deepwater.
“Through an industry-wide implementation vehicle, we will evolve policy frameworks and operational mechanisms to valorise stranded or marginally economic oil & gas resources through joint development strategies.
In a similar vein, the Commission is pursuing the Project 1 MMBOPD Incremental initiative with modest gains recorded owing to the multi-stakeholder collaborative approach adopted. “We are glad to report that we crossed the 1.8 MMBOPD mark on peak production last month, with average production hovering at 1.78 MMBOPD.
“As part of our commitment toward sustainable production, the Commission is optimising the Maximum Efficient Rate (MER) framework, addressing produced water management, and aligning operational shutdowns and turnaround maintenance schedules to ensure minimal production disruptions. Given the above and with the concerted efforts of all, the presidential mandate on production increase is well within reach.
As we look ahead, let us acknowledge that building a sustainable energy future will demand trade-offs, innovation, and coordinated effort. The conversations that take place here at NAICE must be followed by action, by all of us”, he concluded.
Reporting by Fred Shaka-Braimah