By Akpos Oghenetega,
Stakeholders have showered praise on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) for their significant role in boosting Nigeria's crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd).
Advocate.ng reports that Nigeria’s Gas production has also reached an impressive 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd), marking a milestone in the country's energy sector.
The NNPCL, while announcing the achievement on Thursday, credited the progress to collaborative efforts between state and private actors, including Tantita Security Services. Tantita has been at the forefront of combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have long plagued Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Tantita’s relentless operations have resulted in the seizure and destruction of illegal refining equipment and the displacement of oil thieves from the coastal areas. Industry insiders report that many perpetrators have abandoned the illicit trade due to the sustained pressure and vigilance of Tantita operatives.
This resurgence in crude oil production is part of a broader effort by NNPCL to meet the federal government’s target of achieving over 2 million bpd by December 2024. Tantita, in conjunction with other industry stakeholders, has launched intensified measures to maintain this momentum and safeguard the nation’s economic assets.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, attributed the milestone to the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the Production War Room Team for their dedication. The accomplishment is viewed as a significant step toward bolstering Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.
“The team has done a great job in driving this project of not just production recovery but also escalating production to expected levels that are in the short and long terms acceptable to our shareholders based on the mandates that we have from the President, the Honourable Minister, and the Board,” Kyari stated.
Giving details of the efforts of the Production War Room, the Chief War Room Coordinator and Senior Business Adviser to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lawal Musa, said the feat was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Joint Venture and Production Sharing Contract partners, the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as government and private security agencies.
He said the interventions that led to the recovery of production cut across every segment of the production chain, with security agencies closely monitoring the pipelines.
He stressed that when the Production War Room team was inaugurated on the 25th of June 2024, production was at 1.430 mbpd, but the team swung into action, culminating in it sustaining the production recovery to 1.7 mbpd in August and hitting the current 1.808 mbpd in November.
“We are confident that with this same momentum and with the active collaboration of all stakeholders, especially on the security front, we can see the possibility of getting to 2MBPD by the end of the year,” he added.
It will be recalled that the Chairman of TSSNL, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, while speaking during an award bestowed on him by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), promised to ensure that the daily crude oil production output continued to increase and boost the nation’s revenue.
“The only place I have to call my country is Nigeria, so I will do everything within my powers to see that crude oil production increases.”
Reacting to the latest feat yesterday, Tompolo, said he was excited to be part of the success story.
Tompolo, who spoke through his Special Adviser Media and Public Communication, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, said Tantita was committed to the realisation of 2mbp by December as directed by President Tinubu.
Tompolo said, "This milestone, as you know, was achieved in collaboration with NNPCL, security forces and of course, Tantita, which has been at the forefront of oil pipelines protection in the Niger Delta . We are determined to take it to 2mbpd before the year runs out as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."
"All the needed machinery has been put in place to ensure that the target is achieved. No effort will be spared to ensure that the economy of Nigeria is galvanized."
"This will lead to a boost in government's revenue, thereby making more funds available for the President and his team to run the country effectively. I am assuring you that we are not going to rest on our oars until the target is achieved and even exceeded."
"New technologies were being deployed to monitor the facilities with a view to ensuring that there won't be any disruption and that the theft of Nigeria's commonwealth is halted."
"So, the 1.8mbpd that it has got to, certainly by the end of the year, by God's grace, we will work to get it to 2mbpd and even exceed. We are working towards that," Tompolo assured through Bebenimibo.
