New Data, New Opportunities: Awele-3D Unlocks the Next Chapter in Nigerian Exploration
The Nigeria Showcase Session on Day 1 of the World Energies Summit will spotlight the wealth of opportunities emerging in Nigeria’s upstream sector. Bringing together senior representatives from government, industry, and leading data and technology providers, the session will feature a series of technical presentations and a high-level industry panel discussion exploring how new data, investment frameworks, and regulatory reforms are shaping Nigeria’s exploration future. Attendees will gain insight into current licensing opportunities, recent seismic advancements, and the country’s strategic approach to reinvigorating exploration and production activity.
At the heart of this showcase, Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), will deliver a Keynote Address outlining Nigeria’s strategic upstream roadmap — from data-driven exploration to transparent licensing and sustainable energy development.
The NUPRC leadership, together with its partners TGS and Petrodata, will also be holding investor meetings and one-to-one sessions with potential partners throughout the Summit — offering a rare opportunity for direct engagement on Nigeria’s emerging exploration opportunities and upcoming licensing rounds.
Awele-3D: The Data Behind Nigeria’s Exploration Revival
After more than a decade without a major new multi-client 3D seismic campaign offshore Nigeria, TGS is redefining the exploration landscape with Awele-3D — a landmark integrated seismic and potential fields study covering approximately 11,500 km² in the deepwater Niger Delta.
Developed in collaboration with the NUPRC, the project represents the new spirit of partnership driving Nigeria’s upstream sector under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Awele-3D is the first modern 3D seismic acquisition offshore Nigeria in over a decade, targeting the deepwater shale diapir zone, where complex geology has historically challenged imaging and limited exploration.
Reinvigorating Exploration Through Technology and Transparency
Leveraging triple-source acquisition, 10-km streamers, and concurrent gravity and magnetic data, Awele-3D applies Dynamic Matching Full Waveform Inversion (DM-FWI) and advanced model-building techniques to deliver exceptional imaging across structurally complex zones. The result is an unprecedented view of the Agbada and Akata formations, illuminating stacked reservoirs, sub-thrust plays, and compressive structural traps.
This integrated workflow — combining seismic, gravity, and magnetic modelling - ensures a geologically consistent velocity model and accurate depth imaging, empowering explorers with the clarity and confidence needed to pursue new prospects.
Driving Investor Confidence and Exploration Growth
The 2021 PIA has redefined Nigeria’s upstream landscape, setting a foundation for competitive licensing, regulatory certainty, and data accessibility. Awele-3D embodies this transformation, providing the technical cornerstone for future exploration success.
The NUPRC’s presence at the World Energies Summit, alongside TGS, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to attracting investment and showcasing the country’s renewed exploration potential. With direct investor meetings, exclusive one-to-one discussions, and a high-level keynote from the CCE, the Summit will be a pivotal platform for those seeking to engage in Nigeria’s next chapter of offshore discovery.
Meet TGS and NUPRC at the World Energies Summit
Join TGS and the NUPRC at the World Energies Summit to explore how Awele-3D and Nigeria’s forward-looking policies are creating new opportunities for exploration success.
Hear directly from Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, and connect with Nigeria’s upstream leaders to discuss how new data and new partnerships are driving exploration forward across the Niger Delta and beyond.
