The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has announced a significant reduction in crude losses, with a 90% drop over the past four years.
According to the NUPRC, crude oil losses decreased from 102,900 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day in 2025, the lowest level since 2009.
The commission attributed this success to collaborative efforts with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the military, operators, and other stakeholders. “The commission has worked tirelessly with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the military, operators, and other stakeholders to reduce crude losses, and we are pleased with the results,” NUPRC said.
The NUPRC refuted a report claiming Nigeria lost N8.41 trillion to oil theft, stating that the report was based on incorrect assumptions and misinterpretation of official data. The commission used an incorrect exchange rate of N1,500/$1 in its calculation, which led to the erroneous conclusion.
Despite the challenges, Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% due to increased oil output and other sectors. This growth vindicates the NUPRC’s efforts to combat crude oil theft and increase production. “The growth in the economy is a testament to the efforts of the commission to reduce crude losses and increase production,” NUPRC added.
The commission is working to unlock Nigeria’s production potential, with a technical capacity to produce above 2 million barrels daily. The NUPRC is implementing various initiatives, including metering audits, restoration of shut-in strings, and increased rig counts, to achieve this goal.
The NUPRC’s efforts to reduce crude losses and increase production have yielded positive results, with crude losses dropping to 9,600 barrels per day in 2025. The commission remains committed to working with stakeholders to sustain and grow production.
