Nigeria Opens First New Crude Export Terminal in 50 Years
By Naija Enquirer Staff
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the $400 million Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria’s first new crude export facility in more than five decades, marking a historic milestone in the country’s energy landscape.
The state-of-the-art facility, developed by Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), boasts a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels and a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day. It is strategically positioned to serve over 40 stranded oil fields in the Niger Delta, unlocking new opportunities for indigenous participation and boosting national crude oil output.
A Milestone for Indigenous Participation
Delivering the President’s remarks at the commissioning, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, described the project as “a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
“The strengthening of local capacity in our energy sector remains important to the transformation and sustainable progress we seek as a nation,” Lokpobiri said. “This critical area has continued to receive robust attention and support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in revitalizing our energy industry through projects that align with our strategic priority of increasing crude oil production.”
According to the Minister, the Otakikpo Terminal represents a significant leap toward indigenous ownership and operational excellence in Nigeria’s upstream sector.
“As the first fully indigenous onshore crude export facility in over five decades, this terminal opens a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy landscape. Beyond serving GEIL, it stands ready to support other companies operating in its vicinity — a true symbol of indigenous excellence and shared infrastructure,” he stated.
Driving Efficiency and Global Competitiveness
Lokpobiri explained that the new terminal is designed to reduce production costs, enhance export efficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global oil market. He noted that the Tinubu administration’s ongoing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have created globally competitive fiscal terms to attract investment and drive performance among license holders.
“This development exemplifies the performance we expect from license holders, especially in light of globally competitive fiscal incentives now in place. Nigeria is open for business, and we expect every operator to convert their licenses into production and value creation,” the Minister added.
Innovation and Community Partnership
Lokpobiri commended Green Energy International Limited for demonstrating innovation, resilience, and commitment to local content, saying the success of the Otakikpo terminal underscores the potential of Nigerian operators when provided with the right environment.
He also urged host communities, particularly the Ogoni and Andoni people, to ensure peace and collaboration to sustain the project’s operations and shared benefits.
“I urge the host communities to recognize that the benefits of fossil resources are real, but can only be realized through responsible extraction and value creation,” he said. “With continued peace and partnership, this terminal will catalyze economic transformation for the nation and the Ogoni people alike.”
Boosting National Energy Output
The Otakikpo terminal is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s daily crude oil production, expand export infrastructure, and reinforce indigenous capacity in line with President Tinubu’s energy sector revitalization agenda.
With its commissioning, Nigeria has taken a bold step toward unlocking stranded onshore reserves, promoting shared infrastructure use, and deepening local participation in crude oil export — a strong signal of renewed confidence in the country’s petroleum investment environment.
