By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has applauded ExxonMobil and its partners for committing $1 billion to the on-block activities of the Usan Infill Project in OML 138, describing the investment as a major boost to Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Oritsemyiwa Eyesan, gave the commendation during the 25th NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Earlier at the conference, the Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Jagir Baxi, announced the company’s $1 billion investment commitment, noting that the project is expected to increase production by an additional 40,000 barrels of oil per day.
Responding to the announcement, Eyesan described the development as particularly significant, noting that Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria had not undertaken any drilling operations since 2016.
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria is the operator of OML 138, which contains the Usan field, under a Production Sharing Contract with NNPC Limited. Other partners in the block include Chevron, TotalEnergies and Nexen.
In a related development, the NUPRC also presented Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to successful bidders following the conclusion of the 2022/2023 Mini Bid Round and the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round.
Among the companies that received the licences were Broron Energy Limited (PPL 2009), Petroli Energy Marketing and Supply Limited (PPL 269), Sahara Deepwater Resources Limited (PPL 270 and PPL 271), and Tulcan Energy E&P Co (PPL 2008).
The Commission disclosed that the licensing exercise covered 12 successful awardees across 19 Petroleum Prospecting Licences, comprising a balanced portfolio of deep offshore, shallow water and continental shelf acreages, reflecting the broad range of investment opportunities available in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
