By Asaye Bankole
Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production increased to 1.68 million barrels per day in August 2026, allowing the country to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries production quota for the fourth consecutive month.
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that total crude oil and condensate output stood at 1,677,777 barrels per day in August, up slightly from the 1,671,000 barrels per day recorded in July.
The latest figures indicate a 0.4 per cent month-on-month increase, reflecting a gradual improvement in Nigeria’s oil production after several operational challenges affected output in previous months.
The NUPRC disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Sunday by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.
According to the regulator, crude oil production excluding condensates averaged 1,500,190 barrels per day during the month.
The commission said the increase was largely driven by the resolution of operational difficulties involving the Single Buoy Mooring at the Erha field, which had disrupted production and evacuation activities in July.
The NUPRC explained that the restoration of normal production and evacuation operations at the facility contributed positively to the country’s overall output in August.
It added that production from most other oil-producing assets remained relatively stable, with operators continuing to work on improving efficiency, maintaining infrastructure and reducing operational disruptions.
Daily crude oil and condensate production during August ranged from about 1.64 million barrels at its lowest point to 1.71 million barrels at its peak.
The Bonny Terminal recorded the highest average production during the month at 320.04 thousand barrels per day, followed by the Forcados Terminal with 317.40 thousand barrels per day.
Qua Iboe recorded an average output of 171.72 thousand barrels per day, while Escravos produced 131.71 thousand barrels per day.
Bonga followed with an average production of 92.50 thousand barrels per day.
Despite the increase from July, August production remained below the 1,735,398 barrels per day recorded in June, representing a shortfall of 57,621 barrels per day.
The NUPRC said the figures reflected continued efforts by industry operators and other stakeholders to address production bottlenecks and restore lost capacity.
The regulator further stated that stakeholders were focused on improving asset reliability, strengthening operational resilience and implementing intervention programmes to support sustained growth in Nigeria’s oil production.
The increase is significant for Nigeria as crude oil remains a major source of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, while meeting its OPEC quota remains important to the country’s position within the international oil market.
COMMENTS