Nigeria Cuts Crude Oil Losses by 90%, From $7m Daily to $700,000
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that crude oil losses in Nigeria have reduced by 90 percent in the last four years, falling from an estimated $7 million per day in 2021 to about $700,000 daily in 2025.
Major Progress in Oil Loss Reduction
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, NUPRC’s Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, attributed the achievement to innovative strategies introduced by the Commission. He emphasized that these measures had transformed the industry, countering a recent report that alleged Nigeria lost over N8.4 trillion in four years.
“As of 2021, we recorded about 100,000 barrels a day loss, translating to roughly $7 million daily. Today, in 2025, that figure has reduced to about $700,000 a day,” Komolafe explained.
Government Support and New Measures
Komolafe credited the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which combined both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, for the progress in curbing oil theft. He stressed that protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector was vital for sustaining investor confidence.
Innovative Regulations for Oil Monitoring
The NUPRC boss highlighted two pioneering regulations — the Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation — as critical tools in tackling oil theft. These frameworks allow Nigeria to digitally track every barrel of crude oil from loading terminals to discharge points.
“For the first time in over 70 years of oil exploration, Nigeria has regulations that track every molecule of crude oil in real time,” Komolafe stated.
Engineering Metering Audits
As part of Phase One implementation, Komolafe disclosed that nearly 700 upstream metering points had undergone engineering integrity assessments. He explained that this move shifted control from international oil companies to Nigeria’s regulatory authority, ensuring real-time accountability in crude production reporting.
Real-Time Digital Tracking
On the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation, Komolafe explained that the system would instantly flag any discrepancies in crude shipments. For instance, if a tanker loads one million barrels but discharges 1.2 million, the anomaly would be detected immediately.
According to Komolafe, these reforms, aligned with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against oil theft and its efforts to maximize revenue from crude exports.
