TotalEnergies has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for ensuring a transparent 2024 mini-bid round and has expressed interest in the forthcoming 2025 Licensing Round slated to commence on December 1.
The commendation came during a courtesy visit to the Commission Chief Executive, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, by a high-level delegation from TotalEnergies led by Mr. Nicolas Terraz, President of TotalEnergies Exploration and Production.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Mr. Eniola Akinkuotu, Terraz was accompanied by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mathieu Bouyer, and other senior officials.
Reiterating the commission’s commitment to a predictable regulatory environment, Komolafe said the NUPRC operates not just as a regulator but as a strategic business enabler in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
He affirmed that regulatory uncertainty in Nigeria’s upstream sector had come to an end.
“Now, in Nigeria, we have a regulator that steps in to address the issues as an enabler,” he said, highlighting the commission’s investor-centric reforms and efforts to deepen operational clarity in the sector.
Komolafe also commended TotalEnergies for the execution of projects under the Obagi Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), describing the initiative as evidence of the company’s commitment to community development and the host community provisions of the PIA.
He encouraged the operator to actively participate in the 2025 Licensing Round, which has been designed to attract high-value investments, introduce new entrants, and spur exploration activity across both frontier and mature terrains.
In his remarks, Terraz praised the NUPRC for the transparency and credibility displayed during the 2024 mini-bid round.
He said the clarity and fairness of the previous process had strengthened investor confidence and expressed optimism that the 2025 Licensing Round would benefit from the commission’s reform-driven framework and enhanced governance measures.
Terraz reaffirmed TotalEnergies’ long-term commitment to Nigeria’s upstream sector, describing the country as a strategic hub within the company’s global portfolio.
He emphasised the company’s readiness to align with the NUPRC’s vision for a more competitive, transparent, and investment-led oil and gas industry.
“Drawing from the 2024 bid round, the 2025 edition would be positive. TotalEnergies is optimistic about the new bid round,” Terraz said.
