FEATURE: Applauding Nigerian Military For Increased Crude Oil Production In Nigeria
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The recent data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) shows that the nation’s oil production output rises 9.9% Year-on-Year- a clear indication that the current onslaught against the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the country is yielding positive results.
NUPRC, in its July report revealed that the country recorded a significant output growth in the month, averaging 1.71 million barrels of oil per day (bopd).
The figure, the Commission explained comprises 1.507 million bopd of crude oil and 204,864 bopd of condensates, reflecting a 9.9% year-on-year surge from the 1.56 million bopd produced in July 2024, which included 1.33 million bopd of crude oil and 226,866 bopd of condensates respectively.
On a month-on-month basis, according to the data, output rose by 0.89% compared to the 1.69 million bopd recorded in June 2025, which comprised 1.505 million bopd of crude oil and 191,572 bopd of condensates.
On the monthly performance of Nigeria’s crude oil terminals, NUPRC said “Forcados recorded the highest output in July 2025 with 9.04 million barrels, representing a 2.1 per cent increase from 8.85 million barrels in June.
“At the Bonny terminal, production rose to 8.07 million barrels in July, an 12.7% increase compared to 7.16 million barrels recorded in the previous month. The Qua Iboe terminal pumped 4.55 million barrels in July, slightly lower than the 5.08 million barrels produced in June.
“Output from the Escravos terminal climbed by 7.1 per cent to 4.47 million barrels in July, up from 4.17 million barrels in June. Bonga terminal delivered 3.68 million barrels in July, reflecting a 4.2 per cent rise from the 3.53 million barrels recorded in June.
“The Odudu (Amenam Blend) terminal posted a 2.9 per cent growth, producing 2.12 million barrels in July compared to 2.06 million barrels the month before. Production output at the Tulja-Okwuibome terminal rose by 2.8 per cent, from 2.02 million barrels in June to 2.08 million barrels in July.
“Similarly, production at the Brass terminal surged by 27 per cent, increasing from 877,975 barrels in June 2024 to 1.12 million barrels in July.”
SECURITY HAS IMPROVED
Speaking recently at the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) 2025 in Abuja, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the Commission through its initiatives, and in collaboration with the security agencies has increased oil production from a 1.46 million barrels per day baseline in October 2024 to 1.8 million barrels in August.
Corroborating him, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, attributed the increase in crude oil production to the persistent crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta Region of the country.
Delivering a goodwill message at the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit held on Monday in Abuja, Engr. Ojulari, stated that crude theft in Nigeria has been nearly eliminated after coordinated efforts by the nation’s defence and intelligence agencies.
“Today, I can proudly report that our pipeline and terminal receipts are attaining close to 100%,” Ojulari said.
He said security had been improved, particularly within the Niger Delta, where most of the country’s oil infrastructure is located.
WHAT WE ARE DOING -NIGERIAN NAVY
The Nigerian Navy also disclosed that the increase in crude oil production was due to the successes recorded through the relaunch of Operation DELTA SANITY in the Niger Delta Region of the country.
In a statement issued recently by the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore A Adams-Aliu, the Navy said since the relaunch of Operation DELTA SANITY in December 2024, the Nigerian Navy has recorded remarkable successes, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.
He revealed that in July, 2025, over 71 illegal refinery sites with 120 dug out pits were deactivated, while oil thieves were denied about 411,400 litres of crude oil, 87,825 litres of illegally-refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)-Diesel, 72,000 litres of Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and 21,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)-Petrol.
Highlighting some of the operational successes recorded in July 2025, the Navy said: “On Friday, 4 July 2025, six illegal Refinery Sites were discovered and deactivated around Ogba, Egbema, and Ndoni communities in Rivers State. The sites comprised 40 dugout pits with approximately 66,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 40 ovens, and 30 reservoirs holding about 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“On Saturday, 12 July 2025, one illegal Refinery Site with 5 dugout pits containing about 2,300 litres of stolen crude oil was deactivated at Otegele, Delta State.
“On Monday, 14 July 2025, three suspected smugglers were arrested in Akwa Ibom State in a wooden boat laden with 10 drums (approximately 2,500 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Investigations revealed the products were intended for smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon. The suspects and products were seized and handed over to relevant authorities.
“Also on Monday, 14 July 2025, an underground reservoir with connected pipes, dugout pits, and buckets containing approximately 7,000 litres of crude oil, along with polythene bags, was discovered and deactivated around Obodo Omadino, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Also on Monday 14 July 2025, another wooden boat with 10 drums (approximately 2,500 litres) of PMS was seized and three suspected smugglers arrested along Agbani axis, Mbendoro, Effiat I & II, Okposo River entrances in Akwa Ibom State.
“On Wednesday, 16 July 2025, an underground reservoir with connected pipes and 12 sacks containing 9,500 litres of suspected stolen Crude Oil, along with buckets and polythene bags were seized in Peres Community, Warri South West Local Government Area.
“On Saturday, 19 July 2025, one illegal Refinery Site and 9 dugout pits, containing about 4,200 litres of crude oil were deactivated around Otegele in Obodo Omadino, Warri South West LGA, Delta State.
“On Monday, 21 July 2025, many dugout pits, one pumping machine connected to an underground reservoir with 10 sacks containing approximately 10,000 litres of suspected crude oil, and 2 buckets were discovered and seized at Oteghele in Amadino community, Warri South West LGA, Delta State.
“On Tuesday, 22 July 2025, two illegal refinery sites were deactivated at Biseni Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State. The sites had about 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil, one pumping machine, and about 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and DPK, as well as a network of galvanized pipes and hoses used for siphoning and distribution.
“On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, a follow-up operation led to the discovery and deactivation of seven metal ovens, six storage pits, and a large pond containing over 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Biseni Community Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State.
“Also on 23 July 2025, an illegal refinery site with 300 litres of crude oil, several drums, 3 dugout pits, and 2 reservoirs were deactivated along Isonogbene and Otuogbene in Akassa general area of Bayelsa State.
“On the same day, 2 active illegal refinery sites, 8 dugout pits containing about 2,500 litres of crude oil, and 10 polythene sacks with approximately 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and deactivated in Obodo Omadino, Warri South West LGA, Delta State.
“Also on 23 July 2025, an abandoned illegal refinery site comprising one oven and 5 dugout pits with about 13,000 litres of crude oil was discovered and deactivated around Ugbokodo Creek and Christian Village in Warri South LGA, Delta State.
“On Friday, 25 July 2025, seven dugout pits, one drum, and five sacks containing approximately 15,000 litres of suspected crude oil were discovered and deactivated at Bennet Island within Bokodo Community, Delta State.
“On Sunday, 27 July 2025, two active illegal refinery sites, 17 dugout pits with about 2,650 litres of crude oil, and 16 polythene sacks containing 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and appropriately deactivated at Obodo Omadino, Warri South West LGA, Delta State.
“On Monday, 28 July 2025, one active illegal refinery site with tanks, containing about 20,000 litres of crude oil, and an underground reservoir connected with hoses was discovered and deactivated at Oteghele Community in Omadino, Delta State.”
These significant successes, according to the statement, underscore the resilience of the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to completely eradicate crude oil theft and contribute to improving Nigeria’s oil production.
NIGERIA’s OIL PRODUCTION TARGET
With proven reserves of 37.28 billion barrels of crude oil and 210.54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the nation’s upstream sector remains the backbone of the economy, delivering about 90% of export earnings and nearly 70% of government revenue.
The Nigerian government has set a target to achieve 2.5million barrels per day by 2026, which the authority assures that it is achievable considering the current production trajectory. It was last close to 2.5 million barrels per day in 2005 before militancy in the Niger Delta reduced output to 1 million bpd by 2016.
In 2021, Nigeria began hiring private security firms to complement the national security organisations in managing pipeline security.
This collaboration, according to reports, played a crucial role in the recent gains, in addition to the recovery of 4 million litres of stolen crude oil and about N9billion in the first half of 2024 alone.
