Nigeria hits 1.68mbpd, sustains OPEC quota for four months

Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production rose to 1.68 million barrels per day in August 2026, extending the country’s recent improvement in output and sustaining its crude oil quota compliance with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that average crude oil and condensate production reached 1,677,777 barrels per day in August, up 0.4 per cent from about 1.67 million barrels per day recorded in July.

Crude oil production excluding condensates averaged 1,500,190 barrels per day during the month, according to the regulator.

The performance meant Nigeria met its OPEC crude oil quota for the fourth consecutive month, reflecting efforts by operators to restore affected production capacity and address operational challenges.

Erha field recovery supports output

The NUPRC attributed the modest improvement in August production largely to the resolution of operational challenges involving the Single Buoy Mooring at the Erha field.

The challenges had affected the field’s production performance in the preceding month, but the restoration of normal evacuation and production operations helped lift overall output in August.

“The NUPRC attributed the modest improvement in August production largely to the resolution of the Single Buoy Mooring operational challenges at the Erha field, which had adversely impacted production performance in the preceding month,” the regulator said.

It added that production across most other assets remained relatively stable as operators continued measures aimed at improving efficiency, maintaining asset integrity and limiting operational disruptions.

Nigeria’s lowest daily crude oil and condensate production during August stood at 1.64 million barrels per day, while the highest daily output reached 1.71 million barrels.

Bonny leads production terminals

A breakdown of production across terminals and streams showed that Bonny Terminal recorded the highest average output in August at 320,040 barrels per day.

Forcados Terminal followed closely with an average of 317,400 barrels per day, while Qua Iboe recorded 171,720 barrels per day of crude oil and condensates.

Escravos Oil Terminal averaged 131,710 barrels per day, while Bonga recorded 92,500 barrels per day, placing it fifth among the leading producing terminals during the month.

Output remains below June level

Despite the month-on-month improvement, August production remained below the level recorded in June.

Output increased by 6,777 barrels per day from the rounded July figure of 1.671 million barrels per day. However, it was 57,621 barrels per day lower than the 1,735,398 barrels per day recorded in June.

This means August production was approximately 3.3 per cent below the June level.

The NUPRC said the August performance demonstrated the industry’s continued efforts to address operational constraints and recover disrupted production.

“While the increase recorded in August was modest, it reflects the industry’s continued efforts to address operational bottlenecks and restore affected production capacity,” the regulator said.

It added that industry stakeholders remain focused on improving asset reliability and operational resilience while implementing programmes aimed at supporting sustained production growth in the coming months.

The commission also stressed the importance of timely intervention, effective asset management and collaboration among industry stakeholders in protecting Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity.

Sustaining higher oil production remains critical to Nigeria’s economy, given the sector’s contribution to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, as well as the country’s efforts to consistently meet its OPEC production obligations.