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NIGERIA TO MAKE MORE FROM CRUDE OIL

Nigeria, the biggest producer of crude oil in Africa, has declared plans to boost its current output from 1.8 million barrels per day to three million barrels per day by 2025. The nation produced about 1.4 million barrels of oil in 2023, but this year's production reached 1.8 million due to persistent military action against oil theft, pipeline destruction, and the crackdown on illegal refineries.

Nigeria launched the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II (OPDS II) in Port Harcourt on Monday in an attempt to meet its goal.

 

Speaking during the introduction, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated that the Nigerian Navy had moved forward with the second phase of the OPDS since the first phase, which was introduced on January 10, had helped to enhance production figures. Nigeria produced just one million barrels of crude oil per day in August 2023. At the moment, the country produces roughly 1.8 million barrels per day. "We are certain that the second phase of the OPDS will be crucial in reaching our goal of three million barrels per day by 2025," Lokpobiri stated. He emphasized the Nigerian Navy's crucial role in maintaining security and said it would keep working with other security organizations to fight pipeline theft and oil theft.

 

Lokpobiri voiced alarm about the ongoing sabotage of the Trans Niger Pipeline despite these attempts. Criminals breaking into pipes to siphon crude oil continue to pose a serious threat to the Trans Niger Pipeline.

But, based on its achievements in 2024, the Nigerian Navy has promised to step up its efforts to safeguard these national assets," he said. By stressing the possibility of higher government revenue and better distributions to states and local governments, the Minister emphasized the wider ramifications of reducing oil theft. He urged traditional leaders, marine contractors, security agencies, and young people in the area to assist the Navy in its endeavors. Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, was upbeat about the likelihood of achieving the three million barrels per day production goal.

 

 

According to him, Operation Delta Sanity was created especially to combat maritime crimes such as pipeline damage and oil theft while maintaining a safe environment for lawful operations. The OPDS's first phase resulted in the dismantling of multiple illicit refining facilities in the Niger Delta and the arrest of multiple vessels and oil thieves. "Several oil companies reported 100 percent terminal factor, and these measures significantly improved legitimate maritime activities and increased crude oil production," Ogalla said. Ogalla clarified that despite these achievements, the navy recognized the need to improve the operation to attain even greater results.

 

 

Rejigging the mission entails deploying improved intelligence-gathering equipment, assault helicopters, armed drones, and recently obtained marine domain awareness infrastructure. As instructed by President Bola Tinubu, he continued, "We are also incorporating non-kinetic approaches and strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to sustain and increase crude oil production beyond 2 million bpd." By 2025, Ogalla was confident that the OPDS II would further stabilize Niger Delta oil and gas operations.

 

 

The achievements of the first phase of the OPDS were detailed by Eastern Naval Command's Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande.

 

He stated that 215 people had been arrested, 468 illegal refineries had been destroyed, and around 6.5 million liters of stolen crude oil and seven million liters of contaminated diesel had been seized. Akinwande said, "Among other things, 26 vessels were captured, 1,107 dugout pits, 279 storage tanks, and 361 wooden boats were deactivated."

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Kayode Olorundare

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