Nembe Exploration & Production Company Ltd has announced a remarkable surge in crude oil output, growing production from 25,000 to 90,000 barrels per day within a year—marking a major turnaround for the company since acquiring OML 29 in 2015.
The announcement was made during a strategic panel session titled “Harnessing Africa’s Energy Shift: From Acquisition to Optimisation” held on the sidelines of the recently concluded NOG Energy Week in Abuja. Speaking at the session, Group Managing Director of Nembe E&P, Victor Okoronkwo, attributed the company’s impressive rebound to a combination of supportive reforms by the current administration and improved security in the Niger Delta.
According to Okoronkwo, the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and a significant drop in crude theft and pipeline vandalism under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership were key enablers of the company’s production ramp-up.
“For almost a decade, we struggled with repeated shutdowns caused by vandalism and illegal bunkering, especially along the 97km Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL), which transports crude to the Bonny export terminal,” he noted. “These setbacks were compounded by ageing infrastructure and the high cost of maintenance and repairs.”
With the new wave of stability, Nembe E&P is not only restoring but also expanding its operations. The company has set its sights on scaling production to 150,000 barrels per day and increasing gas utilization to over 200 million standard cubic feet per day in its next growth phase.
Okoronkwo emphasized Nembe E&P’s strategic ambition to emerge as one of Nigeria’s top independent gas producers. “We are investing significantly in frontier energy infrastructure, refining, and joint power and gas ventures—initiatives that are vital for Nigeria’s industrial and socio-economic development,” he stated.
OML 29, which Nembe operates in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), is currently recognized as the largest onshore oil and gas block in Sub-Saharan Africa. The block’s output is supported by the NCTL, a 97-kilometre pipeline critical for evacuating crude efficiently from the Niger Delta to Bonny.
Beyond crude oil, the company is deepening its presence across the energy value chain. It produces both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through six associated gas gathering (AGG) compressors, reflecting its broader commitment to integrated and sustainable energy solutions.
“Our operational philosophy is centered on transformational growth, sustainability, and full value chain integration,” Okoronkwo affirmed.
As Nembe E&P pushes forward with its expansion, its success story stands as a case study in how policy reforms and improved security can revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
