NNPCL Attributes Oil Production Growth to Enhanced Pipeline Security
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has directly linked the recent surge in national crude oil production and a boost in investor confidence to reinforced pipeline security measures in the Niger Delta region. This announcement was made by NNPCL's Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, during a Parliamentary Roundtable on Pipeline Security held at the National Assembly.
Significant Increase in Crude Oil Output
According to Ojulari, national crude oil production has experienced a remarkable recovery, climbing from a historic low of 960,000 barrels per day in 2022 to an average of 1.71 million barrels per day in 2025. Peak production during this period even reached 1.84 million barrels per day, marking a near doubling of output over three years. This rebound underscores the effectiveness of targeted security interventions in stabilizing oil production and restoring investor trust in the sector.
Escalating Tactics by Pipeline Vandals
Despite these gains, pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to evade security. Reports indicate that these criminals are now installing Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor the movements of security teams and have acquired missile launchers to target aircraft. These developments pose new challenges as the Federal Government aims to ramp up oil production to four million barrels per day by 2030.
Parliamentary Support for Security Efforts
The Parliamentary Roundtable, convened by the Joint Senate and House Committee on Petroleum Resources, saw lawmakers dismiss petitions against the current pipeline surveillance contract and pass a confidence vote in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), NNPCL, and security agencies. Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, moved a motion endorsing Tantita, highlighting its role in securing petroleum assets and increasing oil revenue.
Military and Security Collaboration
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Chief of Defence Operations Jamal Abdulsalam, detailed the military's enhanced operations under Operation Delta Safe. This includes a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies such as intelligence gathering, patrols, community engagement, and partnerships with private surveillance firms. These efforts have been credited with helping raise crude oil production from approximately 900,000 barrels per day to nearly 1.9 million barrels per day in 2025.
Protests Against Decentralization Proposals
Earlier, at the entrance of the National Assembly, protesters voiced their opposition to proposals that would decentralize pipeline surveillance contracts. Carrying placards with messages like "We are okay with Tantita" and "Tantita has stopped bunkering," they argued that the current system has delivered tangible results, including reduced vandalism and improved community relations. Spokesperson Teslim Kolawole warned against disrupting a framework that has contributed to youth empowerment and economic stability in the Niger Delta.
In summary, while pipeline security has driven significant improvements in oil production and investor confidence, ongoing threats from vandals necessitate continued vigilance and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to sustain this progress.
