The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified that the US$300 Helicopter Levy for Air Navigational Services remains payable by upstream oil and gas operators, while the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) does not apply to helicopter landings at private offshore facilities and platforms.
The clarification, contained in a circular signed by the Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, followed concerns raised by the Commission on behalf of upstream stakeholders over the introduction, structure and operationalisation of the helicopter levy.
According to the circular, the US$300 levy remains payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), but operators conducting helicopter operations in support of upstream petroleum activities at private offshore facilities and platforms are not liable for the TNC.
The development followed a review initiated after the Commission raised concerns about the implications of the levy for the upstream petroleum sector.
Consequently, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), constituted a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9, 2026, to examine the issues surrounding the levy and its implementation.
The NUPRC said the review established a distinction between helicopter operations supporting upstream petroleum activities and other helicopter operations.
It stated that the TNC remains applicable to helicopter operations that are not undertaken in support of upstream petroleum operations.
Such operations, according to the Commission, include medical evacuation, private charter and agricultural activities.
The clarification is expected to provide greater certainty for oil and gas operators over the applicable aviation-related charges associated with helicopter operations to offshore facilities.
The Commission urged operators and other affected stakeholders to take note of the clarification and comply with the applicable charges.
