National Petroleum Company’s Subsidiary Reports 355,000BPD Production Milestone

NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), the flagship upstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has reported a record production level of 355,000 barrels per day (bpd) on December 1, 2025 — its highest daily output since 1989.

Fresh production data provided by the company on Tuesday showed that NEPL has undergone an exceptional transformation over the past two years.

Average daily output rose sharply from 203,000 bpd in 2023 to 312,000 bpd in 2025, an impressive 52 per cent jump driven by a disciplined strategy anchored on operational excellence, asset optimisation, and structured field development.

The group chief executive officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the development as evidence that the long-awaited revival of Nigeria’s energy sector is already materialising.

He said the milestone represents a strong signal that Nigeria’s upstream oil sector may be on the path back to sustained stability and growth after years of disruptions, underinvestment, and operational setbacks.

It also marks a critical boost to the national aspiration of increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030.

According to him, NEPL’s performance demonstrates that Nigeria possesses the technical capacity, leadership, and operational discipline necessary to significantly increase output.

“By showing its ability to exceed its own production benchmarks, NEPL confirms that the essential building blocks for scaling national output are being firmly established,” Ojulari said.

“This achievement signals that the machinery of production equipment, processes, capabilities, and partnerships can be driven with commercial discipline to produce real and positive outcomes.”

He added that the breakthrough boosts confidence among international partners and investors, assuring them that Nigeria remains committed to sustaining its position as a dependable supplier in the global energy market.

NNPCL’s executive vice president, Upstream, Udy Ntia, noted that while the headline figure of 355,000 bpd is significant, the achievement also reflects deeper structural improvements across the organisation.
He said NEPL’s approach is based on long-term sustainability and responsible operations rather than shortcuts that may deliver temporary gains at the cost of safety or environmental stability.

“In a sector where shortcuts can yield short-term wins but long-term damage, NEPL is making a different point: sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations,” Ntia said.

“It reinforces a shift away from extraction at any cost towards sustainable value creation, a core requirement for any modern energy company seeking global relevance.”

The managing director of NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, stated that the performance reflects the broader transformation currently underway across NNPC Limited.

He noted that the milestone reflects a combination of strategic leadership, strengthened partnerships, and a highly committed workforce.

“This is a story shaped by leadership that charts a clear course; by partnerships built on alignment and accountability; and by a workforce whose hard work is turning goals into measurable progress,” Foucart stated.

He added that for Nigerians, the achievement goes beyond rising production numbers. It ultimately means greater national revenues, improved energy security, and a more resilient economic base.
NEPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited responsible for the exploration and production of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.