The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has set an ambitious goal to boost crude oil production to two million barrels per day by the end of the year.
Production levels have recently increased from 1.27 million barrels in June to 1.6 million barrels in July.
During a meeting with Maritime Stakeholders at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters on Tuesday, NNPCL Group Managing Director Mele Kyari, represented by Folorunsho Karim, Managing Director of Pipeline NNPCL, expressed confidence in meeting the target. The Punch quoted Kyari highlighting the company’s commitment and urged security agencies to intensify their efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
He stated, “Our goal is to reach 2 million barrels per day by year-end, and we are dedicated to achieving this. We value the Nigerian Navy’s significant support, which has helped reduce oil theft and pipeline vandalism. We aim to sustain this progress to meet our target.”
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, addressed the complex security challenges Nigeria faces, including violent agitations, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy, which have been exacerbated by factors like small arms proliferation, communal clashes, poverty, and unemployment.
Ogalla noted that traditional security methods have been insufficient and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address new challenges arising from the Petroleum Industry Act. He affirmed that the Navy’s efforts aim to support, not hinder, operators and ensure their smooth operation.
He added, “Providing security is crucial for promoting a favorable business environment. We strive to ensure our actions do not disrupt legitimate operations, conducting prompt investigations to prevent unnecessary business interruptions.”
