NUPRC says crude oil losses from theft, metering drop to 16-year low
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says crude oil losses from theft and metering issues have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly 16 years.
In a statement on crude loss trends up to July 2025, the regulator said daily losses stood at 9,600 barrels per day (bpd) — the lowest since 2009 when figures fell to 8,500 bpd.
“Nigeria’s upstream oil sector is witnessing a dramatic turnaround, with crude oil losses from theft and metering issues dropping to their lowest levels in nearly 16 years,” NUPRC said.
Between January and July 2025, losses were contained at 2.04 million barrels, averaging 9,600 bpd, compared to 4.1 million barrels lost in the entire 2024 calendar year at 11,300 bpd.
“Remarkably, in just the first seven months of 2025, losses were cut by 50.2%,” the commission noted.
The figures also represent a 94.57% drop compared to 2021, when Nigeria lost 37.6 million barrels — the highest in more than two decades — at a daily average of 102,900 bpd.
“Since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, Nigeria has recorded steady progress in reducing crude oil losses,” NUPRC said.
Losses fell to 20.9 million barrels in 2022 (57,200 bpd), 4.3 million barrels in 2023 (11,900 bpd), and 4.1 million barrels in 2024 (11,300 bpd).
The commission credited the progress to a mix of “kinetic and non-kinetic” strategies.
On the kinetic side, it cited collaboration with security agencies, operators, and host communities, while non-kinetic measures included metering audits across upstream facilities to ensure accurate tracking of production and exports.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe, NUPRC also approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes to combat theft and strengthen oversight.
