NUPRC revokes Oritsemeyin Rig licence after drilling safety breaches
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has revoked the operating licence of Oritsemeyin Rig and directed it to cease all operations once its current well activities are completed.
The decision was conveyed in a letter dated September 11, addressed to Selective Marine Services Limited (SMSL) and signed by Gbenga Komolafe, the commission’s chief executive.
In a statement on Friday, NUPRC said the revocation followed a review of the drilling of the UDIBE-2 wellbore, during which a “kick” was recorded, causing prolonged non-productive time, additional costs, and a forced sidetrack.
A “kick” occurs when formation fluids such as oil, gas, or water flow into the wellbore due to a pressure imbalance.
If unmanaged, it can escalate into a blowout — an uncontrolled release of fluids with catastrophic potential.
The commission said it had earlier issued a notice of culpability on June 5, 2025, under section 97 of the Petroleum Industry Act, granting the company 21 days to resolve the issue.
A reminder was sent on July 9, but the matter remained unresolved, leading to the licence revocation.
