Nigeria’s state-owned oil corporation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has announced a significant increase in the nation’s crude oil production. Output has risen to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), with projections to reach the milestone of 2 million bpd by the end of the year.
The development marks a recovery from October’s production figures, which stood at 1.3 million bpd, according to the latest report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude oil exporter, often includes around 250,000 bpd of condensate production in its overall output.
NNPC attributed this surge in production to a robust collaboration involving joint venture operators, production-sharing contract partners, security agencies, and the federal government. Speaking at a press briefing, NNPC CEO Mele Kyari highlighted the collective efforts driving this progress.
“The team has done a great job in driving this project of not just production recovery but also escalating production to expected levels that are, in the short and long terms, acceptable to our shareholders,” Kyari stated.
Overcoming Challenges in the Niger Delta
Nigeria’s oil production has long been plagued by challenges in the Niger Delta, including crude theft, sabotage, and local unrest. These issues have significantly disrupted operations and hindered output growth. To tackle this, NNPC implemented a series of strategic measures aimed at securing the production pipeline and eliminating illegal activities.
In June, NNPC launched a ‘war room’ initiative, bringing together oil industry stakeholders, government agencies, and private security personnel to combat crude theft. The efforts have led to the destruction of several vessels used in stealing crude and the arrest of illegal refiners.
Kyari emphasized the critical role of these interventions in the production recovery. He noted that rigorous monitoring of pipelines by security agencies, coupled with technical support across every segment of the production chain, has been instrumental in achieving the current results.
A Path to Sustainable Growth
The recent production boost represents a major step forward for Nigeria’s oil sector, which is a cornerstone of the country’s economy. As global oil markets remain volatile, sustained production growth is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s revenue base and provide much-needed support for economic stability.
With NNPC’s ambitious target of reaching 2 million bpd by year-end, the focus now shifts to maintaining these gains and addressing lingering challenges in the region. Industry experts and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these efforts shape Nigeria’s oil production landscape in the months ahead.
This production surge underscores NNPC’s commitment to ensuring the sector operates at optimal capacity, securing Nigeria’s position as a key player in the global energy market.
