The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified that the $300 helicopter levy for air navigational services remains payable, while the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) does not apply to offshore petroleum operations.
The commission said the $300 levy remains payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The clarification was contained in a circular signed by NUPRC Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, following concerns from stakeholders in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
Stakeholders had raised questions about the introduction, structure and implementation of the helicopter levy, as well as other aviation-related charges affecting oil and gas operations.
In response to the concerns, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, established a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9 to examine the issues.
According to Eyesan, the review determined that the TNC does not apply to helicopter landings at privately operated offshore facilities and platforms when the flights are carried out in support of upstream petroleum activities.
However, she explained that the TNC remains applicable to helicopter operations that are unrelated to upstream petroleum activities.
Such operations, she said, include medical evacuations, private charter services and agricultural activities.
The NUPRC’s clarification is expected to give upstream oil and gas operators a clearer understanding of the aviation charges applicable to their activities.
It also provides a distinction between helicopter operations supporting offshore petroleum activities and other commercial or private aviation services.
