ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s crude oil production is expected to increase following the completion of a new offshore facility, the country’s petroleum regulator announced Thursday.
Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), expressed confidence in the development after inspecting the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel at Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel, converted from the Nordic Mistral tanker, is being prepared for deployment to the Okwok Field, operated by Oriental Energy Resources Limited. Komolafe said the facility aligns with Nigeria’s Project One Million Barrels initiative, aimed at boosting daily output.
“This FPSO arrives at a critical time in our production recovery efforts,” Komolafe said. “It will help us meet our targets and strengthen investor confidence in the upstream sector.”
During a four-hour walkthrough, Komolafe reviewed key components including oil and water treatment systems, gas injection modules, turbine generators, and control facilities. The inspection was part of NUPRC’s regulatory oversight to ensure operational readiness and compliance.
The EMEM FPSO is designed to process 40,000 barrels of oil per day and 70,000 barrels of liquid, with additional systems for water injection, gas lift, and gas processing. It can store up to 1 million barrels and accommodate 100 personnel.
Goni Sheikh, Executive Vice Chairman of Oriental Energy, praised the regulator’s support. “We’ve had full cooperation from NUPRC throughout this project. Their guidance has been instrumental in keeping us on schedule,” he said.
Industry analysts welcomed the development but urged caution. “This is a positive step, but Nigeria must address broader issues like pipeline security and regulatory consistency to sustain growth,” said Tunde Adebayo, an energy consultant based in Lagos.
Reactions from the public were mixed. “It’s encouraging to see progress in the oil sector, but we need to feel the impact in our communities,” said Grace Okon, a resident of Akwa Ibom, where the Okwok Field is located. Others expressed skepticism. “We’ve heard promises before. Let’s see if this translates to jobs and revenue,” said Chinedu Eze, a civil society advocate in Port Harcourt.
The FPSO is expected to sail to Nigerian waters in the coming weeks, with full operations commencing shortly thereafter. Officials hope the project will help Nigeria meet its OPEC+ quota and stabilize production amid global market fluctuations.
