The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it has revoked the operating licence of Oritsemeyin Rig over a potential blowout.
In a statement on Friday by Eniola Akinkuotu, NUPRC’s head of media and strategic communications, the commission said it directed the rig operators to cease all operations upon the completion of its current well operations.
According to the statement, the commission issued a notice in a letter dated September 11, addressed to Selective Marine Services Limited (SMSL) and signed by Gbenga Komolafe, the commission’s chief executive officer (CEO).
The NUPRC said the decision followed a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the drilling of “UDIBE-2 wellbore during which a kick was recorded, resulting in several non-productive time (NPT) with consequential cost and a forced well sidetrack”.
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According to the NUPRC, a kick on an oil rig is the unwanted flow of formation fluids (oil, gas, or water) into the wellbore due to a temporary pressure imbalance, where the pressure inside the wellbore becomes lower than the formation pressure.
The commission said that if left unmanaged, the phenomenon can lead to a potentially catastrophic uncontrolled release of fluids called a blowout.
“Subsequently, the NUPRC in accordance with Section 97 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, issued a formal notice of culpability via a letter dated June 5, 2025 with a timeline of 21 days followed by a reminder dated July 9, 2025 to ensure an amicable resolution which was not achieved even beyond the stipulated time,” the statement reads.
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“Consequent upon the forgoing and pursuant to the relevant powers conferred on the commission under the extant Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the annual licence to operate granted to Selective Marine Services Limited for the Oritsemeyin Rig is hereby revoked.”
The upstream regulator said the Oritsemeyin Rig has been disqualified from all renewal processes with immediate effect, in full compliance with the relevant legal provisions.
According to the NUPRC, this decision aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which authorises the commission to enforce adherence to sound oilfield practices, international industry standards, operational safety, and optimisation.
The commission said the act also aims to promote technical excellence while safeguarding both commercial interests and environmental sustainability.
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