The Nigerian government is aiming for a significant boost in crude oil production, setting a target of three million barrels per day (bpd) by 2025, according to Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II (OPDS II) in Port Harcourt, Lokpobiri emphasized the importance of the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism to achieve the ambitious production goal.
The launch of the first phase of OPDS in January 2023 was a turning point for the country’s oil production, with significant improvements already noted. Lokpobiri revealed that Nigeria’s daily crude oil output was just over one million bpd in August 2023, but it has since risen to approximately 1.8 million bpd. He expressed confidence that the continued success of OPDS II would help propel the nation closer to its target of three million bpd within the next two years.
“Our target is to reach 3 million bpd by 2025, and we are confident that the second phase of OPDS will play a key role in achieving this milestone,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with security agencies in the fight against oil theft and pipeline sabotage.
A major concern, according to Lokpobiri, is the persistent sabotage of the Trans Niger Pipeline, which remains a significant challenge. Criminals have frequently targeted the pipeline for crude oil theft, but Lokpobiri noted that the Nigerian Navy is intensifying its efforts to secure national oil assets.
“The Trans Niger Pipeline remains a major challenge, with criminals breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil. However, the Nigerian Navy has pledged to intensify its efforts to protect these national assets,” he said.
The minister also pointed out that reducing oil theft could lead to greater government revenue, which would result in increased allocations to states and local governments. To achieve these goals, Lokpobiri called for the support of security agencies, maritime contractors, traditional leaders, and local youth in bolstering the Navy’s operations.
Navy Chief Optimistic About Achieving Oil Production Target
Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, also shared his optimism regarding the target of three million bpd, underscoring the Navy’s key role in safeguarding the country’s oil infrastructure. Ogalla highlighted that OPDS was designed specifically to address the twin issues of oil theft and pipeline vandalism while ensuring a secure operational environment for legitimate activities in the region.
“The initial phase of OPDS led to numerous arrests of vessels and oil thieves, as well as the dismantling of several illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta,” Ogalla noted. “These measures resulted in significant improvements in legitimate maritime activities and boosted crude oil production, with several oil companies reporting 100 percent terminal factors.”
Despite the progress, Ogalla acknowledged the need for refining the operation to further improve outcomes. The second phase of OPDS, he said, will include the deployment of new maritime domain awareness systems, attack helicopters, armed drones, and advanced intelligence-gathering tools.
“Rejigging the operation involves deploying newly acquired maritime domain awareness infrastructure, attack helicopters, armed drones, and enhanced intelligence-gathering systems,” Ogalla added.
He expressed confidence that these enhanced capabilities would stabilize oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta, helping Nigeria achieve its 2025 production goals.
With both the federal government and the Nigerian Navy prioritizing security and infrastructure protection, the future of Nigeria’s oil production looks set for significant growth in the coming years.