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Oil Prospecting Licenses (OPL) Practice
Petroleum Prospecting Licenses (PPL), Test Drilling Rights, Block Commercialization & OML Conversion
An Oil Prospecting License (OPL) officially categorized under the PIA 2021 as a Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL)—is an exclusive, time-bound permit granting energy companies the right to drill appraisal wells and test for commercial hydrocarbons. Nomos Legal Practice assists operators in securing PPL acreage, structuring test-drilling commitments, maintaining NUPRC regulatory compliance, and converting successful prospecting blocks into full mining leases.
Prospecting License Procurement & Terms
Securing exclusive test-drilling rights across onshore (3 to 5-year terms) and deep offshore (up to 10-year terms) acreage blocks from the NUPRC.
Test-Drilling Regulatory Compliance
Ensuring test-drilling and appraisal operations strictly comply with NUPRC technical codes, safety guidelines, and work program commitments.
Commercial Discovery & Conversion to Mining Lease
Filing commercial discovery declarations upon finding paying quantities of petroleum to seamlessly transition the PPL into a Petroleum Mining Lease .
Securing An Oil Prospecting License Or Converting A PPL Block?
Consult with our petroleum prospecting legal practitioners at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island