Nigeria Intensifies Push to Raise Oil Production to 2.5 Million Barrels Daily

By Nigerian Niger Delta Reporters

ABUJA/PORT HARCOURT — Nigeria is intensifying efforts to increase crude oil production to approximately 2.5 million barrels per day as the Federal Government seeks to attract fresh investment into the petroleum sector.

The plan includes efforts to revive dormant oil fields, develop deepwater projects, attract new investments and strengthen the security of oil infrastructure.

The Niger Delta is expected to remain central to the strategy because much of Nigeria's crude oil production and pipeline infrastructure is located within the region.

Oil pipeline security has also become a major component of the government's production strategy, with private security operators involved in protecting critical petroleum infrastructure.

The Federal Government hopes that increased production will strengthen government revenue, improve foreign-exchange earnings and support broader economic growth.

Nigeria's crude production previously reached levels around the 2.5 million-barrel-per-day mark more than two decades ago.

Achieving the target again would represent a major increase in production and could significantly improve Nigeria's position in the international oil market.

Nigerian Niger Delta Reporters will continue following developments around oil production, pipeline security and investment across the Niger Delta.