The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued the 2026 Decommissioning and Abandonment Regulations, replacing the 2023 framework. The new rules mandate earlier planning, shifting requirements to the work programme or Field Development Plan stage for licensees and lessees. Operators must now maintain escrow accounts with qualified financial institutions, moving away from the previous reliance on the Central Bank of Nigeria. Key provisions include stricter funding requirements, specific credit ratings for custodians, and heavy penalties for non-compliance, including potential license revocation. The regulations also impact tax deductibility, requiring at least 30% of funds to be held in accredited Nigerian banks, and impose clear liabilities on transferees during asset divestments.