The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified the application of a $300 helicopter landing levy, stating that the charge does not apply to landings at privately owned offshore facilities or oil platforms.
The commission said the $300 payment imposed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should be regarded as a statutory air navigation charge and remains payable through NAMA’s approved collection system.
In a memo signed by NUPRC Chief Commission Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the regulator explained that the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) is specifically applicable to landings at government-owned aerodromes.
According to the commission, the TNC does not apply to helicopters landing at private offshore facilities or platforms.
However, the charge remains applicable to helicopter operations that are not connected to upstream petroleum activities, including medical evacuations, private charter services and agricultural operations.
The NUPRC also said NAMA would deploy low-altitude flight monitoring and surveillance systems to strengthen airspace management and national security.
As part of the system, NAMA will require flight manifests, movement logs and offshore activity data from relevant operators.
The commission further warned that no new or revised fee, levy or charge directly affecting 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, 2021.
The regulator urged upstream petroleum operators, licensees, lessees and helicopter service providers to review their contractual, invoicing and cost-recovery arrangements in line with the clarification.
The development is expected to provide greater certainty for oil and gas companies operating offshore and prevent confusion over the fees applicable to helicopter operations in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
