Eni and Nigeria resolve license dispute, paving way for offshore development

The Nigerian government and Eni have divided a major offshore license into four parts, ending a prolonged dispute and enabling development of key deepwater resources, including the Zabazaba and Etan fields.

March 6, 2026

President of Nigeria shakes hands with Eni CEO — From left: Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi and President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu

The Nigerian government and Eni agreed to split a license offshore Nigeria into four, resolving a years-long dispute and opening a path for development of prospective deepwater resources.

Oil Prospecting License 245 (OPL 245) will be converted to two development licenses, Petroleum Mining Leases (PML) 102 and 103, and two exploration licenses, Petroleum Prospecting Leases (PPL) 2011 and 2012.

Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd. (NAE), an Eni unit, will operate the licenses with partners Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. Ltd. (SNEPCO).

Agreement on the development licenses allows for development of Zabazaba and Etan fields, which together hold estimated reserves of 500 million bbl. The development plan is premised on a 150,000-bo/d capacity FPSO, with gas (200 MMscfd at peak) to be exported through Nigeria LNG.

The two exploration licenses “hold high potential and are suitable for fast-tracked development synergic with future Zabazaba-Etan infrastructure,” the company said.