In an interview with NAN on November 13, 2023, Defense Minister Bello Matawalle revealed that Nigeria is poised to achieve a crude oil production milestone of 1.9 million barrels per day (BPD) by December 2023.
Matawalle, speaking on the government’s commitment to combat crude oil theft and enhance production, noted that concerted efforts have led to a decline in theft activities. He emphasized the positive impact of government actions and the collaborative efforts of the military in curbing oil theft.
“Previously, due to oil theft in the Niger Delta region, production plummeted to around one million barrels per day. However, with the Federal Government’s initiatives and the military’s crackdown on oil thieves, we expect to reach 1.9 million barrels per day by the end of this year. Operations have been conducted, illegal installations dismantled, individuals arrested, and we are satisfied with our current progress. We will continue to work collaboratively, sharing intelligence,” Matawalle affirmed.
According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), October’s crude oil production stood at 1.5 million barrels per day. Additionally, reports from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) indicated 227 recorded cases of crude oil theft on October 28 and November 3, reflecting ongoing challenges in addressing such illicit activities.
