The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has granted Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) No. 5 to SeaSeisGeophysical Limited, authorising a major three-year seismic data acquisition project in the offshore Eastern Niger Delta. The agreement, signed at NUPRC’s Abuja headquarters on Tuesday, involves SeaSeis in partnership with TGS and the Commission to acquire and process new 3D seismic and gravity data across approximately 11,700 square kilometres.
The project targets water depths between 400 and 2,800 metres in the Outer Fold and Thrust Belt, a geologically complex but prolific hydrocarbon zone. Using advanced TGS GeoStreamer broadband technology, the initiative aims to produce high-fidelity seismic data to improve subsurface understanding, guide exploration, and de-risk investment decisions. Revenue from data-use licences issued under the partnership will be shared between SeaSeis and NUPRC, as outlined in a statement from the Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.
NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan emphasised that the licence reflects the Commission’s commitment to data-driven exploration under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. “Exploration is fundamentally driven by confidence in data and processes,” Eyesan said, adding that credible partnerships are vital for achieving national production and reserve growth targets. The PEL No. 5 area was selected for its promise despite technical challenges, with seismic advances now making it more accessible.
SeaSeis Managing Director Goke Adeniyi described the project as the company’s largest in Africa, noting its potential to provide operators with high-quality data for prospect evaluation. “The resultant data will enhance confidence in evaluating opportunities in this complex region,” he stated.
This initiative addresses Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to grow oil reserves as mature fields decline and exploration has slowed due to funding constraints and regulatory uncertainty. As Africa’s largest crude producer, Nigeria faces intensified global competition for capital, with investors demanding clearer, lower-risk data. By illuminating the offshore geology, PEL No. 5 seek to boost prospectivity, attract investment, and support long-term hydrocarbon development.
The three-year project underscores a strategic shift toward data-centric exploration, aligning with national goals to increase reserves and production through transparent, collaborative efforts in the upstream sector.
