Chevron has reinforced its position in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry after securing a new oil exploration licence in the country’s 2025 licensing round.
The licence was awarded to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a Chevron company and operator of the Agbami field, following its successful bid for Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 2010. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced the winners of the 2025 licensing round in Abuja on July 21, 2026.
Chevron described the award as a major milestone that supports its long-term strategy of expanding its global exploration portfolio through investments in high-potential assets.
Commenting on the development, Chevron’s Vice President of Exploration, Kevin McLachlan, said Nigeria remains a strategic part of the company’s global operations. He noted that the acquisition of PPL 2010 reflects Chevron’s disciplined approach to securing high-quality exploration opportunities.
McLachlan added that the company will continue to assess promising exploration prospects across its international portfolio while maintaining its long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector.
Also reacting, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron’s Nigeria and Mid-Africa business unit, Jim Swartz, congratulated the NUPRC and other stakeholders on the successful completion of the licensing exercise.
He reaffirmed Chevron’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government and industry partners to unlock the country’s oil and gas potential, stressing that the company remains focused on driving economic growth through sustained investment and responsible energy development.
Chevron said the award of PPL 2010 aligns with its global exploration strategy, which emphasizes technology-driven exploration, disciplined portfolio management and targeted investment in high-potential opportunities.
The company added that it will continue pursuing exploration activities across Africa as it seeks to build a diversified energy portfolio capable of meeting future global energy demand.
