By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified that oil and gas operators will not be required to pay the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) for helicopter landings at privately owned offshore facilities and petroleum platforms.
The clarification followed concerns by upstream operators over the enforcement of a $300-per-landing charge for air navigational services payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
In a circular dated August 28, 2026, and signed by the Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the NUPRC said the decision followed the recommendations of a Ministerial Review Committee constituted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on March 9, 2026.
The committee comprised representatives of the NUPRC, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), NAMA and NAMA’s appointed revenue collection consultant.
Under the resolution, the $300-per-landing charge remains applicable and payable to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism.
However, the NUPRC stressed that the Terminal Navigational Charge applies only to helicopter landings at government-owned aerodromes and does not extend to private offshore facilities or oil and gas platforms.
The Commission added that the TNC would continue to apply to helicopter operations outside upstream petroleum activities, including medical evacuations, private charter flights and agricultural operations.
It further directed that the $300 charge be classified as a statutory air navigation charge for cost-reporting purposes.
The NUPRC said it would issue additional guidance on the appropriate classification and reporting requirements, including the treatment of costs previously recorded as TNC for upstream helicopter operations.
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The resolution also provides for enhanced monitoring of low-altitude helicopter operations.
According to the NUPRC, NAMA is expected to deploy low-altitude flight monitoring and surveillance systems to strengthen airspace management and national security.
The monitoring framework will require operators to submit flight manifests, movement logs and offshore activity data, while NAMA will communicate specific technical requirements to affected operators.
Meanwhile, the NUPRC warned government agencies against introducing new or revised fiscal charges on upstream petroleum operations without prior consultation with the Commission and other relevant industry stakeholders.
The regulator said such consultations must comply strictly with Section 25 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The Commission also directed upstream operators, licensees, lessees and aviation service contractors to align their commercial agreements, billing processes and cost-recovery arrangements with the decisions of the review committee.
