The Federal Government on Thursday celebrated Nigeria’s achievement of producing 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and condensate, marking a significant milestone after struggling to meet its OPEC quota for four years.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described it as his “happiest day in office,” predicting an ambitious target of 2.5 million bpd by December. The achievement was lauded by stakeholders, including Tantita Security Services, led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), which highlighted the role of advanced technologies in combating oil theft and vandalism.
A Unified Approach to Boost Output
During a press briefing in Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) announced the milestone was achieved alongside a gas output of 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd). NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, credited the success to a collaborative effort involving government agencies, security forces, and local stakeholders.
“The Production War Room Team has played a critical role in driving this recovery,” Kyari said, emphasizing that further production increases are both achievable and necessary to meet economic goals.
Key Initiatives Driving Growth
Lokpobiri explained the government’s aggressive measures, including the establishment of a “Production War Room” and leveraging private security groups like Tantita, which has adopted new technologies to secure pipelines in the Niger Delta.
He also highlighted Africa’s reliance on Nigeria’s leadership in oil production: “If Africa must progress in harnessing its resources, Nigeria must take the lead.”
Targets for the Future
Stakeholders remain optimistic about surpassing the 2 million bpd mark by year-end. Chief Pius Akinyelure, NNPC Board Chairman, expressed confidence in achieving 3 million bpd in the near future, urging NNPC to align cash flow projections with the increased output.
Tompolo’s spokesman, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, reaffirmed their commitment to reaching the 2 million bpd target: “We’re deploying all necessary machinery to ensure the economy benefits significantly from increased oil production.”
This milestone is expected to boost government revenue, reduce oil theft, and enhance Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s energy sector.
