NUPRC retains $300 helicopter landing levy, waives TNC for offshore oil operations

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has confirmed that the $300 helicopter levy per landing for air navigational services remains applicable to upstream petroleum operations, while the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) does not apply to landings at private offshore facilities or oil platforms.

The clarification follows concerns raised by upstream industry stakeholders over the introduction, structure and implementation of the helicopter levy.

This is according to a circular signed by NUPRC Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, on Monday.

What the NUPRC is saying

According to the NUPRC, the $300 levy per landing is retained and must be paid to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism.

• “The Terminal Navigational Charge (“TNC”) is payable only in respect of a landing at a government-owned aerodrome and does not apply to a landing at a private offshore facility or platform.”
• “It remains applicable to helicopter operations not undertaken in support of upstream petroleum operations,” NUPRC stated.

The NUPRC said the $300 levy is to be treated as a statutory air navigation charge for cost-reporting purposes and that it would issue further guidance on the applicable classification and reporting requirements.

Upstream operators, licensees, lessees and helicopter service providers have been directed to align their contractual, invoicing and cost-recovery arrangements with the clarification.

The review also requires NAMA to deploy low-altitude flight monitoring and surveillance systems to strengthen airspace governance and national security.

As part of the monitoring framework, flight manifests, movement logs and offshore activity data will be required from relevant operators.

NAMA is expected to communicate the specific reporting requirements to affected operators.

The…