KEY POINTS
- NUPRC identified 22 offshore projects for potential investment.
- The pipeline includes 12 deepwater and 10 shallow-water developments.
- Bonga Southwest, Aparo, Owowo and Egina South are among the projects listed.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has identified 22 major offshore projects that could attract fresh investment and help increase Nigeria’s oil and gas production.
The projects form part of the commission’s broader effort to turn Nigeria’s substantial hydrocarbon resources into producing assets and generate greater economic value from the upstream petroleum sector.
The NUPRC presented the investment opportunities at the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 in New York.
The Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, presented Nigeria’s upstream investment outlook through a representative, the Executive Commissioner for Corporate Services and Administration, Kelechi Ofoegbu.
The presentation highlighted opportunities across Nigeria’s offshore, gas and brownfield assets, with the commission pointing to regulatory reforms, improved project economics and a growing number of development-ready assets as factors supporting renewed investor interest.
A major part of the presentation was the identification of 22 offshore developments, comprising 12 deepwater and 10 shallow-water projects.
The NUPRC said the projects have the potential to bring substantial new capital into Nigeria’s upstream industry while supporting future production growth.
Major deepwater projects identified
Among the projects highlighted by the commission are Bonga Southwest, Aparo, Zaba Zaba, Owowo, Bosi and Egina South.
These projects represent some of the major opportunities available to investors as Nigeria seeks to expand offshore production and unlock additional reserves.
The focus on both deepwater and shallow-water developments also reflects the breadth of opportunities available across Nigeria’s upstream sector.
The commission is seeking to use recent regulatory changes and improved project economics to make more of these assets commercially viable and move them towards development. Beyond identifying future opportunities, the NUPRC also pointed to recent capital commitments in several projects as evidence that investor interest is increasingly translating into actual development activity.
Projects cited include Bonga North, Obeta Gas Development, HIN Associated Gas Development and Iseni Gas Development.
The commission said these investments demonstrate growing movement from project identification towards funding and development.
The trend is significant for Nigeria as the country continues to seek new investment to reverse declining production, develop stranded resources and strengthen its position as a major oil and gas producer. Nigeria’s upstream sector has faced challenges including ageing assets, production disruptions and difficulties attracting sufficient capital for new developments.
The NUPRC’s latest investment pipeline is therefore aimed at presenting investors with a clearer view of projects that could contribute to future production and expand the country’s energy base.
The commission said the combination of regulatory reforms, stronger project economics and development-ready assets is creating new opportunities for investors and industry partners.
If successfully developed, the 22 offshore projects could provide additional production capacity while supporting investment, government revenues and activity across the wider oil and gas value chain.
The NUPRC is also continuing to promote gas and brownfield opportunities alongside offshore developments as part of efforts to maximise the value of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The investment push comes as Nigeria seeks to attract more private capital into the upstream sector and convert its large hydrocarbon reserves into sustainable production and economic growth.
