Library / Page | 1 MIDSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM OPERATIONS REGULATIONS, 2024
Page | 1 MIDSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM OPERATIONS REGULATIONS, 2024

Page 23 of 101
 
 
Page | 23 
 
(a) with the prior authorisation of the Authority 
(b) within the limits of operational practice; or  
(c) where such vessel is loading full complement from two or more 
terminals within Nigeria. 
cargo or 
dead freight 
25. A vessel in which petroleum liquids or natural gas or its derivatives is 
carried shall not depart from Nigeria or its territorial waters from where 
cargo operations are conducted without - 
(a) 
complete documentation in the prescribed manner by the 
appropriate authorities; and 
(b) specific authorisation by the Authority and any other 
Government agency having authority in that regard. 
Restriction on 
vessel not to 
depart without 
full 
documentation 
26. A vessel in which petroleum liquids or natural gas or its derivatives is 
carried, shall not make, demand, or receive any topping within or outside 
any loading port or terminal in Nigeria. 
Prohibition of 
topping 
27. The loading, unloading or trans-shipment of petroleum liquids or 
natural gas or its derivatives, shall not be carried out at any location within 
Nigeria or its territorial waters, except at the point authorised or 
designated by the Authority for that purpose. 
Prohibition of 
loading, 
offloading, 
importation, or 
trans-shipment in 
an unauthorised 
location. 
 
28.  Petroleum liquids or natural gas or its derivatives shall not be loaded 
into a ballast tank or any other tank, container or receptacle of a ship or 
tanker other than those designated, dedicated, and designed for its 
storage and transportation. 
Prohibition of 
loading into 
ballast tank  
29. (1) The shore figures shall continue to be regarded as the official 
fiscalised figures for any lifting of petroleum liquids or natural gas or its 
derivatives, except where the measurement system is on the vessel and 
certified by the Authority.  
 
(2) Where the figure recorded on board a vessel exceeds that recorded 
on shore or at the loading point, the limit of tolerance allowed for these 
variations shall depend on the cargo quantity expressed in long tons or 
metric tons and the allowance as prescribed in the guidelines made by 
the Authority.  
 
(3) Where the ship/shore difference recorded exceeds the above 
Ship/shore 
differences