The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced plans to reactivate dormant oil fields as part of its goal to raise national crude output to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2026.
At the maiden ECAN conference in Abuja, CEO Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, represented by Kingston Chikwendu, outlined this plan while reviewing the achievements and gaps of the Petroleum Industry Act four years after its passage.
He noted that the Project One Million Barrels Initiative, introduced in 2024, is already showing results, with production rising from 1.7 million to 1.83 million barrels per day.
Komolafe explained that the increase came from faster regulatory approvals, improved operational efficiency, and the opening of new frontier blocks onshore and offshore.
He added that the Commission has created 37 new crude evacuation routes to support infrastructure and reduce losses caused by theft and vandalism.
He said NUPRC is enforcing the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation to ensure a steady crude supply for local refineries, while also advancing gas-to-power projects, LNG and CNG infrastructure, and digital regulatory systems that support investment.
On host community relations, he noted that the digitized Host Community Trust Fund has improved transparency, reduced conflicts, and strengthened acceptance of industry activities.
He clarified that funds are not paid directly to host communities but to the trustees of the HCTF, who are responsible for carrying out development projects.
Speaking on Nigeria’s gas-focused transition, he pointed out that hydrocarbons still account for most of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and government revenue. He also highlighted initiatives such as the Decade of Gas, the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, and the Presidential CNG Initiative, which target ending routine flaring by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by 60 percent by 2031.
source:www.zawya.com
African Energy Council