Recent data released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited indicates that a total of 36 oil blocks are currently under concession to both international oil companies and indigenous counterparts in Nigeria.
According to NNPC’s Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the Period Ended December 31, 2022, the distribution of these blocks is diverse: eight in deepwater, five on the continental shelf, fifteen on land, five in swamp, and three in partially swamp terrains.
These blocks are categorized as Oil Prospecting Licences (OPL) and Oil Mining Licences (OML). OPLs are granted for exploration and production purposes, while OMLs are issued upon confirmation of the potential for commercial petroleum production.
Among the blocks listed in NNPC’s financial statements are OPLs 244, 242, 214, 223, 251, and 325, and OMLs 154, 139, 119, 60-63, 111, 148, 65, 26, 28, and 30.
Ada Peter
