File photo: Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has commenced moves to harmonise regulatory processes with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority as part of efforts to strengthen radiological safety in oil and gas operations and reduce the cost of doing business in the upstream petroleum sector.
The initiative emerged from a recent meeting between the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NNRA, Yau Idris, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. According to a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications and Media at the NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, on Sunday, the collaboration is expected to address overlapping regulatory requirements, close existing gaps in oversight, and create a more efficient compliance framework for operators in the industry.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is partnering the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority in order to enforce radiological safety in oil and gas operations and reduce the overall cost of operations.” While the NUPRC regulates the technical, commercial and operational aspects of oil and gas exploration and production, the NNRA is responsible for regulating the possession, use, transportation and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation-emitting equipment across the country.
Speaking during the meeting, Eyesan stressed the need for greater collaboration among regulators to eliminate duplication and improve the investment climate in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. She noted that excessive regulatory requirements often translate into additional costs for operators, ultimately affecting the competitiveness of the industry.
“The only way we can safeguard investments is to reduce our cost of operations, and when you have multiplicity of laws, the likelihood is that you will have higher costs because each law normally will come with its own fee and charges,” the NUPRC boss said. Eyesan nominated senior officials from the commission to work closely with the NNRA on the task ahead.
“We have identified critical areas on both sides, and we believe that as we collaborate, we can close existing gaps,” she said. Responding, Idris said the cooperation of the NUPRC was crucial because the upstream petroleum industry remains one of the largest users of radioactive sources and radiation-emitting equipment in Nigeria.
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He explained that the partnership would enable both agencies to share information and simplify compliance procedures for operators. “The goal is a single window approach, where both agencies share information rather than requiring operators to submit the same data twice,” he said.
Idris further stated that since oil and gas extraction often brings Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials to the surface, the NNRA seeks the assistance of the commission to ensure that operators conduct radiological impact assessments as part of their broader Environmental Impact Assessments, while NORM management protocols are incorporated into the NUPRC’s environmental guidelines for the upstream sector.
The two agencies also agreed to deepen collaboration in training, capacity building, and knowledge sharing on radiation protection and safe operational practices. Both institutions are also expected to collaborate in training and knowledge sharing in the area of radiation protection and safe operations.