The Federal Government has approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes nationwide as part of ongoing reforms to enhance production and tackle oil theft.
The number of active crude oil rigs has also grown significantly, rising from eight in 2020 to 44.
This was revealed by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, during the 24th NOG Energy Week held on Wednesday in Abuja.
In a keynote address titled “Positioning Nigeria’s Upstream Oil & Gas for Energy Security, Sustainability, and Economic Resilience,” Komolafe said the new evacuation routes were part of a broader strategy to restore asset integrity, ensure secure transportation of crude, and support the ongoing Project One Million Barrels initiative.
“With 37 new evacuation routes approved and implemented in collaboration with security agencies, we are curbing theft and boosting accountability.
“The impact is already evident, Nigeria’s production has climbed from 1.46 million barrels per day to 1.7 million bpd. Our target is to reach 2.5 million bpd by 2026, and we’re well on our way. As you can see, the rig count has been growing linearly.
“After COVID-19, we moved from a regime where we had a rig count as low as 8 rigs in the Nigeria upstream. As of today, the rig count has increased to 44 rigs. Again, that is a huge achievement for us as a nation,” Komolafe said.
He noted that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is experiencing a historic shift under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, propelled by the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and a wave of executive orders rolled out in 2024.
“Let me be clear: under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive leadership, we have seen a bold shift in policy direction. Executive Orders #40 on fiscal incentives, #41 on local content, and #42 on cost efficiency and contracting timelines have catalyzed over $16 billion in new investments in just two years,” the NUPRC boss said.
Komolafe emphasized that safeguarding crude oil infrastructure and enhancing domestic energy resilience are central to the ongoing reforms.
He added that the commission’s Domestic Crude Supply Obligation initiative is now ensuring a consistent supply of feedstock to local refineries, aiming to cut reliance on imports and boost the country’s downstream value chain.
“Our focus is not just on exports. We are strengthening domestic supply chains and economic resilience by ensuring that our refineries receive the crude they need,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, Komolafe pointed to the Commission’s ongoing digital transformation initiative, aimed at simplifying regulatory procedures and boosting investor confidence.
“Through full-scale digitisation, we’re delivering speed, efficiency, and clarity to investors. Our platforms are transparent, data-driven, and responsive,” he added.
