Nigeria’s Oil Production Nears OPEC Targets
Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production reached an average of 1.66 million barrels per day (bpd) in April 2026, coming close to meeting the production targets set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This data was disclosed in the latest provisional report published by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The report indicates that the average daily output consisted of 1,663,413 barrels. This includes crude oil production of 1,488,540 bpd and condensate production of 174,873 bpd. The country’s production figures represent approximately 99% of OPEC’s quota of 1.5 million bpd, demonstrating a steady recovery after several months of underperformance.
Significant Month-to-Month Growth
According to this month’s data, total liquids production—which encompasses crude oil, blended condensate, and unblended condensate—increased to 49.9 million barrels. This translates to an average daily production of 1,663,413 barrels, a notable rise from the 1,546,093 barrels recorded in March. This growth of roughly 7.6% month over month signifies Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing its oil output.
In April, crude oil production accounted for 44.69 million barrels or 1,488,540 barrels per day, while condensate production reached a total of 5.25 million barrels. This includes 1.56 million barrels of blended condensate and 3.69 million barrels of unblended condensate. Additionally, the report highlighted that the month’s production figures fluctuated, with daily outputs ranging from a low of 1.46 million barrels to a high of 1.85 million barrels.
Bonny and Forcados Drive Output Recovery
A detailed breakdown by terminal indicates that Bonny was Nigeria’s leading crude oil stream in April, producing a total blend of 8.85 million barrels, an increase from 8.42 million barrels in March. Bonny’s crude oil output rose from 7.99 million barrels to 8.36 million barrels, while condensate production grew from 427,035 barrels to 492,779 barrels.
Forcados experienced the most substantial recovery this month, with total blended production jumping from 5.18 million barrels in March to 7.35 million barrels in April. Crude oil output surged from 4.73 million barrels to 6.65 million barrels, and condensate production climbed significantly to 700,249 barrels. Meanwhile, Cua Iboe’s production slightly declined to 4.97 million barrels, and Escravos decreased from 4.47 million barrels to 4.13 million barrels. Brass terminals also saw a reduction, with total blended production falling from 1.38 million barrels to 1.25 million barrels.
Strong Performance from Offshore Fields
Among offshore installations, the Bonga field showcased robust performance, delivering 3.06 million barrels in April, up from 2.85 million barrels in March. Other offshore assets like Elha, Aegina, and Usan also showed improvement, producing 2.05 million barrels, 1.47 million barrels, and 928,616 barrels, respectively. Additional contributions came from fields such as Utapate and Nembe, reinforcing the overall stability of supply from the offshore sector.
In April, unblended condensate production reached 3.69 million barrels, averaging 122,840 barrels per day, while blended condensate accounted for 1.56 million barrels, or 52,032 barrels per day. According to the commission’s condensate flow data, Agbami emerged as the top producer for April with 2.01 million barrels, followed by Akpo at 1.34 million barrels and Tulja Okwibome with 304,827 barrels. This steady output will support Nigeria’s overall liquids production and bolster revenue inflows at a time when global oil prices are on the rise.
Revenue Impact Amid Rising Oil Prices
The increase in production comes at a time when international oil prices are climbing, enhancing the possibility of increased federal revenues and improved foreign exchange inflows. Brent crude traded above $120 per barrel during part of April, positioning Nigeria to significantly bolster its fiscal performance, especially as the government seeks to fund its 2026 budget and alleviate pressure on foreign reserves.
This production boost will further strengthen Nigeria’s standing within OPEC, where it has faced challenges in recent years due to issues like oil theft, pipeline vandalism, underinvestment, and shutdowns. Analysts caution, however, that sustaining this higher level of output will hinge on continued pipeline security, stable operations at major terminals, and accelerated investment in upstream infrastructure. While the April figures are promising, maintaining consistency is crucial for Nigeria to leverage rising global oil prices effectively. NUPRC indicated that these figures are provisional, implying potential minor revisions in the final adjusted figures.
