Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production rose by 2.34 per cent in September 2026, averaging 1.717 million barrels per day, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reported.
Crude oil production alone averaged 1.53 million barrels daily, making September the fifth consecutive month the industry met or exceeded its production quota, Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan said.
She disclosed the figures at the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos on Monday, 26 October. Assistant Director of Operations Prosper Omonedo represented her at the event.
Regulator credits improved oil production
Eyesan attributed the production gains to better asset integrity, improved security for evacuation infrastructure, closer cooperation with operators and regulatory action to restore shut-in production.
She also reported that Nigerian refineries received more than 127 million barrels of domestic crude oil and condensate between January and September 2026.
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Commercial disagreements between producers and refiners had affected supplies in the first quarter, but the Commission’s engagement with both sides improved deliveries in the second and third quarters.
Refineries received 53.7 million barrels in the second quarter and 45.1 million barrels in the third quarter. The NUPRC put supply performance for the periods at 97.4 per cent and 76.2 per cent, respectively.
Crude supply plan targets lower costs
The Commission is consulting producers and refiners on a domestic crude swap system that could reduce transportation costs.
Under the proposal, refiners could collect crude from the nearest suitable production or export point instead of transporting an allocated grade over long distances.
Eyesan estimated that the arrangement could cut costs by three to four dollars per barrel.
She also said the NUPRC would assess 40 blocks offered in the 2026 licensing round through a transparent process, with published criteria and mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership.
The Commission is enforcing the drill-or-drop principle to discourage companies from holding licences without developing them. Eyesan said 22 recent licence awardees were expected to contribute at least 250,000 barrels per day within five years.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to meeting the Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation and working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to align refinery demand with crude supply planning.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
Nigeria’s reported September output included both crude oil and condensate, but the crude-only average was 1.53 million barrels per day. The NUPRC also reported higher domestic refinery deliveries over the first nine months of 2026.
The proposed crude swap system is still under consultation, and the stated cost reduction is an estimate, not a confirmed saving.
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