Nigeria Records Highest Crude Oil Production In 11 Months, Surpasses OPEC Quota
Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to its highest level in 11 months in May 2026, exceeding the production quota allocated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that the country produced 1.70 million barrels of crude oil per day during the month, surpassing OPEC’s assigned quota of 1.5 million barrels per day.
The achievement marks Nigeria’s strongest production performance since July 2025, when output reached 1.71 million barrels per day.
Production Remains Strong Throughout May
According to the NUPRC, combined crude oil and condensate production remained stable throughout the month.
Daily production ranged from a low of 1.51 million barrels per day to a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day, reflecting sustained operational performance across key oil-producing assets.
The regulator noted that production growth was supported by stable operations and the absence of major disruptions to pipelines or production facilities during the review period.
Bonny And Forcados Lead Output
Among Nigeria’s major crude export terminals, Bonny Terminal recorded the highest production volume in May, contributing 293,870 barrels per day.
Forcados Terminal followed closely with 289,900 barrels per day.
Other significant contributors included:
- Qua Iboe – 173,360 barrels per day
- Escravos – 135,470 barrels per day
- Odudu (Amenam Blend) – 63,250 barrels per day
Together, these production streams accounted for a substantial share of the country’s total crude output during the month.
Positive Signal For The Oil Sector
The latest figures represent a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil industry, which has faced production challenges in recent years due to pipeline vandalism, crude theft, operational disruptions and underinvestment.
Exceeding the OPEC quota signals improved production efficiency and stronger operational stability across the upstream sector.
The NUPRC attributed the increase largely to uninterrupted production activities, noting that no major pipeline or facility outages were recorded during May 2026.
The strong performance is expected to boost government revenue, strengthen foreign exchange earnings and support broader economic growth, particularly as crude oil remains one of Nigeria’s most important sources of export income.
