Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued fresh guidance to upstream operators, clarifying the status of the $300 helicopter levy and the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) for air navigation services.
In a circular signed by Commission Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the NUPRC confirmed two key decisions following a ministerial review: the $300 levy remains payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), but the TNC will not apply to helicopter landings at private offshore installations and platforms.
The clarification follows concerns raised by upstream stakeholders over how the levy was introduced, structured, and rolled out. The issues prompted the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, to establish a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9, 2026.
TNC Applies Elsewhere, Not at Offshore Oil Facilities
Following the review, the NUPRC noted that the TNC still applies—but only to helicopter flights not tied to upstream petroleum work. Examples listed include medical evacuations, private charters, and agricultural flights.
In short: operators must pay the $300 to NAMA, skip TNC at offshore oil facilities, and expect TNC elsewhere.
The Commission also directed that no new or revised fee, levy, or charge with a direct impact on upstream petroleum operations should be introduced without prior consultation with the NUPRC and other relevant stakeholders, in line with Section 25 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
The development is expected to provide greater certainty to oil and gas operators and their helicopter service providers over the costs associated with offshore aviation operations.
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