Nigerian Refineries Receive 127 Million Barrels of Crude in Nine Months – NUPRC

Domestic refineries in Nigeria received more than 127 million barrels of crude oil and condensate between January and September 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen local refining and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed the figure at the Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, where its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, highlighted improvements in crude supply to domestic refineries following disruptions recorded in the first quarter of the year.

Eyesan said improved engagement between crude oil producers and refiners had helped boost deliveries, although challenges surrounding supply arrangements and transportation costs remain concerns for the downstream petroleum sector.

She also disclosed that Nigeria’s crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day in September, excluding condensates, marking the fifth consecutive month the country met or exceeded its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota.

According to NUPRC figures released earlier in October, the September output represented 102 per cent of Nigeria’s 1.5 million barrels-per-day OPEC quota. The commission attributed the sustained performance largely to stable operations across producing assets and the absence of major pipeline disruptions.

The regulator is also developing a domestic crude oil swap framework aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving access to feedstock for local refineries. The proposed arrangement is expected to allow refiners to obtain crude from production or export points closer to their facilities, helping address logistical difficulties and improve supply efficiency.

The framework forms part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic refining by ensuring that crude produced in Nigeria can be supplied more efficiently to local processing facilities.

Eyesan also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transparency in the 2026 oil and gas licensing round, which offers 40 blocks across onshore, shallow-water and deepwater terrains to prospective investors.

The licensing round is intended to attract investment, encourage the development of petroleum assets and support efforts to increase Nigeria’s oil and gas production. NUPRC has said its evaluation process will provide greater transparency, including the disclosure of bidders’ beneficial ownership and fuller publication of results.

The developments come as Nigeria seeks to retain more value from its petroleum resources by expanding domestic refining, improving feedstock availability and encouraging investment across the oil and gas value chain.

However, industry stakeholders continue to emphasise that increased crude production alone will not guarantee affordable fuel. Reliable supply arrangements, efficient transportation, competitive pricing and sustained investment will also be necessary to ensure that local refining delivers tangible benefits to businesses and consumers.

The NUPRC’s latest figures highlight progress in crude production and domestic supply, while the proposed swap framework could offer another mechanism for addressing logistical barriers facing Nigerians.