The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has confirmed that the $300 helicopter levy for air navigation services will remain in force following a ministerial review.
The commission also clarified that upstream petroleum operators will not be required to pay the Terminal Navigational Charge for helicopter landings at private offshore facilities and platforms.
The decision followed complaints from oil and gas operators about the introduction and application of aviation charges to offshore operations.
NUPRC said a Ministerial Review Committee was established in March 2026 with representatives from the petroleum regulator, aviation authorities, national security institutions and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
After reviewing the charges, the committee retained the $300 levy per landing.
The levy remains payable to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism.
However, the committee distinguished the levy from the Terminal Navigational Charge.
It ruled that the TNC should apply only when helicopters land at government-owned aerodromes.
Private offshore facilities and platforms used for upstream petroleum operations are exempt.
The TNC will still apply to helicopter operations outside the upstream petroleum sector, including medical evacuation, private charter and agricultural services where relevant.
NUPRC said the $300 levy would be classified as a statutory air navigation cost for reporting purposes.
The commission is expected to issue further guidance on cost classification and the treatment of charges previously recorded by operators.
NAMA also plans to deploy low-altitude monitoring and surveillance systems to strengthen airspace governance and national security.
Operators may be required to provide flight manifests, movement logs and offshore activity data under NAMA’s statutory mandate.
The review committee further recommended that no new aviation fee or levy directly affecting upstream petroleum operations should be introduced without prior consultation with NUPRC and relevant stakeholders.
The commission said the clarification was intended to reduce uncertainty over offshore aviation costs and improve predictability for petroleum operators.
