Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production Surpasses 1.8 Million BPD in July – NUPRC
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced a significant milestone in the country’s oil sector, revealing that crude oil production peaked at over 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in July.
Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, made the disclosure on Monday during the 2025 Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria, held in Lagos.
According to Komolafe, this milestone was achieved through targeted strategic interventions, particularly the implementation of the “Project 1 MMBOPD Incremental” initiative. The project, he explained, was designed to boost output through enhanced collaboration with industry operators.
“We are pleased to report that we crossed the 1.8 million barrels per day mark in peak production last month, with average daily production standing at approximately 1.78 million bpd,” Komolafe said. “To ensure sustainable production, we are optimising the Maximum Efficient Rate (MER) framework, addressing produced water management challenges, and aligning shutdowns and turnaround maintenance schedules to minimise disruptions.”
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s trajectory toward meeting the presidential mandate for sustained crude oil production growth.
Komolafe also highlighted ongoing regulatory reforms within the upstream sector, anchored on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. He noted that 21 key regulations had been officially gazetted, providing the necessary clarity to support investments, streamline operations, and align with both national development goals and global energy priorities.
He further emphasised the Commission’s adoption of technology to enhance regulatory efficiency and strengthen the oil and gas supply chain. According to him, human capital development and decarbonisation are also high on the Commission’s agenda.
“Human capital remains the most critical asset in our industry,” Komolafe said. “We continue to partner with institutions, professional associations, and training providers to promote skill development, ensure technical excellence, and prepare our workforce for a low-carbon energy future.”
He urged the SPE and other industry bodies to rise to the challenge of manpower development by investing in capacity-building initiatives and engaging young professionals in response to the rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
Komolafe also revealed that the Commission is currently implementing the Upstream Oil & Gas Decarbonisation and Sustainability Blueprint, built on seven core pillars. This initiative is designed to future-proof the sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and ensure long-term investment viability.
As part of efforts to unlock stranded hydrocarbon assets, the Commission recently convened stakeholders to develop a strategy for cluster development, particularly in Nigeria’s shallow and deepwater terrains.
“Just last week, we brought together industry stakeholders to explore strategies for promoting cluster development,” he said. “Through an industry-wide implementation vehicle, we aim to develop comprehensive policy frameworks and operational mechanisms to valorise stranded or marginal oil and gas resources using joint development models.”
