NUPRC blames production decline on operational challenges at Erha and Akpo fields….
Nigeria’s crude oil production declined by about four per cent in July 2026, ending a five-month run of consecutive monthly increases, although output remained above the country’s Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries quota.
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that Nigeria produced an average of 1.505 million barrels of crude oil per day in July, slightly above its OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day.
When condensates are included, total daily production stood at 1.67 million barrels.
The July figure represents a decline of about 65,000 barrels per day from the 1.735 million barrels recorded in June, translating to a month-on-month drop of roughly 3.75 per cent.
The NUPRC disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.
The regulator said combined crude and condensate production fluctuated between 1.57 million barrels per day at its lowest point and 1.78 million barrels per day at its peak during the month.
Despite the decline, July marked the third consecutive month in which Nigeria exceeded its OPEC crude production quota.
NUPRC data also showed that combined crude and condensate production has risen significantly since the beginning of the year.
Output increased from 1.459 million barrels per day in January to 1.483 million in February, 1.564 million in March, 1.663 million in April, 1.701 million in May and 1.735 million in June.
July’s 1.67 million barrels per day therefore represented the first monthly decline following the steady production growth recorded during the first half of the year.
However, production remained about 211,000 barrels per day, or 14.5 per cent, above the January level.
The NUPRC attributed the July decline mainly to operational challenges at the Erha and Akpo oil fields.
According to the commission, the disruptions reduced production volumes and contributed significantly to the overall drop in national output.
Production at other producing assets remained relatively stable, with operators taking measures to maintain efficiency and minimise the impact of the affected facilities.
The regulator said routine production and crude evacuation activities were also largely sustained across the industry.
It added that operators and other stakeholders were working to resolve the challenges, restore lost production capacity and improve the reliability of affected assets.
The production breakdown showed that Forcados Terminal recorded the highest average output in July at 322.34 thousand barrels per day.
Bonny Terminal followed with 303.72 thousand barrels per day, while Qua Iboe Terminal ranked third with 158.02 thousand barrels per day of crude oil and condensates.
Escravos Oil Terminal recorded an average of 131.41 thousand barrels per day, while the Bonga stream produced 100.23 thousand barrels per day.
The Federal Government and the NUPRC have continued to prioritise increased crude oil production as a key driver of government revenue, foreign exchange earnings and investment in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
