EXCLUSIVE-Nigeria's NNPC eyes stake sales in some oil and gas assets, invites bids, document shows

By Isaac Anyaogu

LAGOS, Dec 29 (Reuters) - NNPC Limited, the state-owned energy company of top African oil producer Nigeria, plans to sell stakes in some of its oil and gas assets and has called for bids, according to an invitation document seen by Reuters on Monday.

NNPC owns some assets outright and others in partnership with international oil companies, including Shell SHEL.L, Chevron CVX.N, Eni ENI.MI and TotalEnergies TTEF.PA. The document did not disclose how much it aims to raise or the size of the stakes on offer, and NNPC did not respond to a request for comment.

NNPC had previously outlined plans to sell at least 25% of the equity it holds in select oil and gas fields, either through full divestments or stake reductions, as part of a portfolio optimisation strategy. Oil sector unions opposed the draft plan.

According to the invitation document, which was distributed late last week, interested bidders must register online by January 10, after which pre-screening will follow and qualified firms will gain access to a secure virtual data room.

Prequalification will be based on technical and financial capacity, followed by document evaluation, negotiations and regulatory approvals.

Nigeria has struggled to boost crude output and attract investment and is targeting incremental growth through production from marginal onshore fields vacated by international firms.