By Peter Omopo | September 14, 2025
Oil and Gas Industry Consultant, Dr Maurice Ibe, has said the revocation of the operating licence of the Oritsemeyin Rig by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) should serve as a strong warning to upstream operators on the need for strict compliance with industry guidelines.
Ibe, who is the Group Executive Chairman of the Benham Group, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.
The NUPRC, in a letter dated September 11, 2025, revoked the operating licence granted to Selective Marine Services Limited for the Oritsemeyin Rig, directing the company to halt operations until the completion of its current well activities. The letter, signed by Commission Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe, followed a review of the circumstances surrounding the drilling of the UDIBE-2 wellbore, where a “kick” was recorded.
The incident, which caused extended non-productive time, additional costs, and a forced well sidetrack, led the regulator to also disqualify the Oritsemeyin Rig from all future renewal protocols.
Reacting, Ibe said the decision aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021), which mandates adherence to good oilfield practices, operational safety, and technical excellence.
“Oritsemeyin apparently did not adhere to standard operating procedures and protocols. The action of NUPRC is an indication of the seriousness of the regulator to sanction erring operators and caution others to comply with the standards set in the PIA 2021,” he said.
He added that investors should applaud the move, noting it prevents safety lapses that could escalate into major disasters.
A “kick” occurs when unwanted formation fluids such as oil, gas, or water flow into the wellbore due to a pressure imbalance. If left unchecked, it can lead to a blowout—an uncontrolled release of fluids with catastrophic consequences.
