How to Obtain a Seismic Data Acquisition Permit – For Geological Surveys in Nigeria (Official, Step-by-Step Guide)

What is a Seismic Data Acquisition Permit—and who issues it?

In Nigeria’s upstream sector, seismic (geophysical) data acquisition is regulated by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Within NUPRC, the Exploration & Acreage Management Department (EAM) is expressly responsible for “issuing permits and approvals for geophysical data acquisition” (i.e., seismic surveys).

NUPRC administers applications and approvals through its online licensing portals (CELPS/ELPS/OGISP). You will file and track requests digitally.

At-a-glance: the process, timing, and costs (read this first)

• Who applies: Upstream licensees/lessees and their qualified service providers seeking to carry out seismic (geophysical) surveys. The EAM department handles the permits.

• Where to apply: NUPRC’s Central Electronic Licensing and Permit System (CELPS/ELPS) and, where relevant, the Oil & Gas Industry Service Permit (OGISP) portal.

• Core fees (NUPRC official 2025 Temporary Fees & Rents Regulations):

  • Processing fee for permit on geophysical data acquisition (per survey per block): ₦1,350,000.

  • Related fees commonly tied to a seismic program include:

    • Processing fee for geophysical data export (per survey per block): ₦625,000

    • Processing fee for permit on in-country geophysical data processing/reprocessing/specialised processing (per survey per block): ₦1,350,000

    • Processing fee for permit for processing/reprocessing/specialised processing of geophysical data abroad (per survey per block): ₦1,350,000

    • Revalidation of approval to conduct geophysical data survey (per sample location/program): ₦1,350,000
      (All amounts and wording above are reproduced from the NUPRC Official Gazette: Upstream Petroleum Fees and Rents (Temporary) Regulations, 2025.)

• Environmental permission: NUPRC’s Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations, 2022 require an Environmental Permit for seismic activities before commencement. Factor this into your critical path.

• Service-company permitting (if you are a contractor): The OGISP guidelines (2024) prescribe how service companies obtain the Oil & Gas Industry Service Permit (General/Major/Specialised categories), with statutory fees of ₦5,000 / ₦25,000 / ₦250,000 plus service charges, and a published processing SLA (3 working days for most applications).

The full procedure: How to obtain a Seismic Data Acquisition Permit in Nigeria

Step 1: Confirm you are the right applicant (and assemble your team)

• Regulatory owner: NUPRC (EAM Department) “is solely responsible for issuing permits and approvals for geophysical data acquisition.” Ensure your organisation is either the licensee/lessee/operator of the acreage or a properly permitted service company engaged by the operator.

• If you are a contractor: Obtain/renew your Oil & Gas Industry Service Permit (OGISP) in the appropriate category (often Specialised) via the OGISP portal, uploading corporate registrations, TCC, NSITF, profiles/CVs, and relevant professional certifications (e.g., COMEG/COREN where applicable). Fees and document list are enumerated in the official OGISP guideline.

Step 2: Create or access your NUPRC online account(s)

• CELPS/ELPS (Central Electronic Licensing & Permit System) login/registration page is the official gateway to digital licensing and permit services. Create your company account, verify it, and maintain accurate corporate info.

• OGISP (for service companies): The OGISP guideline confirms all applications must be submitted online via https://ogisp.nuprc.gov.ng with a six-step flow (visit site → create profile/login → complete form → make payment → upload documents → submit).

Step 3: Obtain the mandatory Environmental Permit for Seismic Activities

Before you mobilise, NUPRC’s Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022) require “an Environmental Permit for seismic activities before commencement of Seismic operations in Nigeria.” Build this into your project plan and file on the appropriate NUPRC channel.

Step 4: Prepare your seismic program dossier for the permit request

At minimum, your request should align with NUPRC’s exploration/acreage management oversight and environmental rules. While the Commission publishes the fees and departmental responsibility explicitly, the operational submission typically covers:

• Survey description (per survey per block, consistent with the fee line item).

• Operational details that NUPRC seeks under its Acreage Management & Drilling framework (e.g., vessel name and type, area of operation, vessel position/speed during operations, seismic acquisition parameters for offshore work).

• Evidence of environmental compliance (your seismic Environmental Permit per Step 3).

• Where contractors are engaged: the service company’s OGISP permit details and supporting competence/certification, as OGISP prescribes.

Tip: OGISP requires that all documents be uploaded online (PDF/PNG/JPEG), with a size limit and that payments are valid for 12 months. NUPRC expects complete documentation before payment and notes that applications are processed within 3 working days (Major/Specialised may take up to two weeks with further verification).

Step 5: File your Seismic Data Acquisition Permit application online

• Submit your request digitally via NUPRC’s licensing portal (CELPS/ELPS) and attach all supporting documents. Use the portal’s live chat/email channels listed in OGISP if you need processing support.

• Ensure your payment remittance aligns with the exact seismic line item (below). NUPRC’s 2025 official fees/gazette lists the “Processing fee for permit on geophysical data acquisition (per survey per block): ₦1,350,000.”

Step 6: Address any NUPRC clarifications and secure approval

• OGISP explains NUPRC may return applications for additional documents or information. Once compliant, the permit is granted, recorded on your profile, and becomes visible for verification on the portal.

Step 7: Conduct operations in line with NUPRC regulations

• Field conduct & reporting: The Acreage Management, Drilling & Production Regulations require, among other things, that operators provide details of survey vessels and seismic acquisition parameters during offshore operations. Stay aligned with good oilfield practice and applicable safety and environmental regulations.

• Revalidation (if needed): Where your approval lapses or scope requires continuation, the fees schedule provides for Revalidation of approval to conduct geophysical data survey.

Official fees you should budget (NUPRC 2025 Gazette)

All fees below are taken verbatim from the Upstream Petroleum Fees and Rents (Temporary) Regulations, 2025 published by NUPRC in the Federal Government Official Gazette. Keep in mind that NUPRC periodically updates fees by regulation; always check the current Gazette.

(Source: NUPRC, Upstream Petroleum Fees & Rents (Temporary) Regulations, 2025.)

Environmental pre-condition: Obtain the Environmental Permit for seismic activities before commencement, as mandated by NUPRC’s Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022).

Documentation checklist (mapped to official NUPRC sources)

Corporate/eligibility

• Evidence that you are the licensee/lessee/operator of the block or a properly permitted service company engaged by the operator. (EAM issues geophysical permits; OGISP governs service-company permitting.)

Regulatory/technical

• Survey program defining scope per survey per block (matches fee construct).

• Operational specifics for offshore work (vessel name/type; area; position/speed; seismic acquisition parameters), as contemplated by the Acreage Management, Drilling & Production Regulations.

• Environmental Permit (Seismic) per the 2022 Environmental Regulations.

If you are a service company (contractor)

• Valid OGISP permit (General/Major/Specialised) obtained via the OGISP portal, including CAC docs, TCC, NSITF, company profile, staff CVs, and any professional/regulatory certifications (e.g., COMEG/COREN where applicable)—with online-only submission and published fees/SLA.

Where/how to submit—and expected processing time

• Submission: NUPRC’s CELPS/ELPS system for licensing/permits (login/register online). elps.nuprc.gov.ng

• Service-company permits: OGISP portal with a 6-step, online-only process (including Remita payments). ogisp.nuprc.gov.ng

• Processing time: OGISP guideline states 3 working days for most applications; Major/Specialised may require additional verifications but not exceed two weeks. (Apply this expectation when your seismic application involves OGISP-permitted contractors.)

Compliance after approval

• Operate to NUPRC Safety & Environmental regulations and good oilfield practice (Upstream Petroleum Safety Regulations, 2022).

• Notify/provide operational data as required (vessel details and seismic parameters for offshore programs).

• Data management & export: If you plan to export or process geophysical data in-country or abroad, apply for the corresponding approvals and budget the exact fees shown above. Also note the broader data governance under the National Data Repository Regulations (2020).

• Revalidation: Where programs extend or require continued authorisation, use the Revalidation of Approval to Conduct Geophysical Data Survey line item.

End-to-end timeline (typical)

1. Pre-application: compile corporate eligibility + contractor OGISP status; outline survey program per block.

2. Environmental permit: file for Seismic Environmental Permit and secure it ahead of mobilisation.

3. Online filing: submit your Seismic Data Acquisition Permit request on NUPRC’s portal, attach documents, pay the ₦1,350,000 processing fee for the permit on geophysical data acquisition (per survey per block).

4. Processing: 3 business days typical (allow up to two weeks if additional verifications apply in a Major/Specialised context).

5. Approval: download/verify permit in portal; align field execution with safety/environmental regs and any reporting obligations (e.g., vessel/parameter data).

6. During/after acquisition: if exporting or processing data, file the corresponding requests and pay the stipulated fees; revalidate approvals if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (answered strictly with NUPRC sources)

1) Who exactly issues seismic (geophysical) data acquisition permits in Nigeria?
NUPRC’s Exploration & Acreage Management Department. The department page states it is “solely responsible for issuing permits and approvals for geophysical data acquisition.”

2) Is there a separate environmental approval for seismic work?
Yes. NUPRC’s Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022) require an Environmental Permit for seismic activities before commencement.

3) How much is the NUPRC processing fee for a Seismic Data Acquisition Permit?
Per the 2025 Official Gazette, the processing fee for permit on geophysical data acquisition (per survey per block) is ₦1,350,000. Related geophysical fees (export, in-country/abroad processing, and revalidation) are also listed and commonly apply to a seismic program.

4) Where do I submit my application?
Through NUPRC’s online portals. CELPS/ELPS is the central licensing/permit system; OGISP applies to service-company permits with clearly published steps. elps.nuprc.gov.ngogisp.nuprc.gov.ng

5) How long does processing take?
The OGISP guideline (for service permits) states 3 working days (with Major/Specialised cases subject to additional verification up to two weeks). Use that as a practical guide when seismic applications involve OGISP-permitted contractors.

6) What details could NUPRC require about offshore seismic operations?
The Acreage Management, Drilling & Production Regulations require information including survey vessel name/type, area of operation, position/speed, and seismic acquisition parameters.

7) Do I need to revalidate if the seismic program extends?
Yes—NUPRC lists a Processing fee for Revalidation of Approval to Conduct Geophysical Data Survey.

8) Are there official rules on data governance and export?
Yes. Beyond specific export/processing fees in the 2025 Gazette, the National Data Repository Regulations (2020) govern upstream data management in Nigeria.

9) Do broader upstream policies affect permit applications (e.g., decarbonisation)?
NUPRC periodically issues regulations and templates affecting upstream approvals (e.g., fees/rents, commercial rules). Always check current publications on nuprc.gov.ng during filing. (For context on evolving policy emphasis, see industry reporting on NUPRC’s decarbonisation template roll-out; confirm current applicability with NUPRC publications.)

Common misconceptions (and the official position)

“We can start seismic right after payment.”
Not quite. The Environmental Permit for seismic activities must be in place before commencement. Payment alone does not guarantee issuance—NUPRC requires complete documentation and formal approval.

“Only operators can interact with NUPRC; service providers don’t need permits.”
Incorrect. Service companies must obtain an OGISP permit in the appropriate category (often Specialised) with prescribed documents/fees and online-only submission.

“Fees are negotiated.”
No. The Commission publishes official fees in the Gazette (e.g., ₦1,350,000 per survey per block for geophysical data acquisition permits) and related geophysical data processing/export fees.

“Environmental and technical approvals are handled offline.”
No. NUPRC mandates online submissions via its portals and cautions against physical visits for service permits. Use the CELPS/ELPS and OGISP channels and their published communication routes.

Practical templates you can mirror (based on NUPRC’s structure)

A) Seismic Permit Application Cover Note (what to include):

• Programme name, block(s) and survey type (2D/3D/OBN/transition zone), “per survey per block” scope alignment.

• Survey window, footprint, source/receiver parameters; logistics; HSE summary; environmental permit reference.

• Offshore operations specifics if applicable (vessel name/type; operating area; position/speed data logging; acquisition parameters).

• Contractor details including OGISP permit references and competence certifications.

B) Data management & export plan (permissions you may need):

• If you will process data in-country → apply under in-country geophysical processing/reprocessing/specialised processing (₦1,350,000 per survey per block).

• If you will process abroad → apply under processing/reprocessing/specialised processing of geophysical data abroad (₦1,350,000 per survey per block).

• If you will export data → apply under geophysical data export (₦625,000 per survey per block).

• If the program timeline changes → consider Revalidation of approval.

Full compliance map (what governs your seismic project)

• Permitting Authority & Scope: NUPRC EAM Department (geophysical data acquisition permits).

• Submission & Tracking: CELPS/ELPS (licensing portal), OGISP (service permits), all-digital workflow. elps.nuprc.gov.ng ogisp.nuprc.gov.ng

• Fees: Upstream Petroleum Fees & Rents (Temporary) Regulations, 2025 (Official Gazette).

• Environment: Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations, 2022 (compulsory Environmental Permit for seismic).

• Operational oversight: Acreage Management, Drilling & Production Regulations (offshore seismic operational information and good practice). nuprc.gov.ng

• Data governance: National Data Repository Regulations, 2020 (plus explicit export/processing approvals and fees).

Troubleshooting & pro tips (straight from official texts)

• Upload readiness before payment: OGISP stresses have all documents ready before payment; payments are valid for 12 months, non-refundable.

• Communication & changes: After submission, you cannot self-edit documents; change requests go to nuprc@nuprc.gov.ng (cc celaps@nuprc.gov.ng, ogisp@nuprc.gov.ng) as per OGISP’s instructions. ogisp.nuprc.gov.ng

• Processing SLA: Plan for 3 working days where possible; allow up to two weeks if additional verifications are required for Major/Specialised.

• Keep your portal profile current: OGISP requires accurate registered/operational addresses, directors, key staff, phone and email; changes must be promptly communicated (with a small administrative cost).

Conclusion

If you follow the official NUPRC pathway—secure the Seismic Environmental Permit, file the Seismic Data Acquisition Permit per survey per block through CELPS/ELPS, ensure your service providers hold valid OGISP permits, and budget the published fees—you will be aligned with Nigeria’s upstream rules from application to acquisition and subsequent data handling. Every requirement and fee above is taken directly from NUPRC’s own publications and portals, so you can proceed with confidence and verifiable compliance