Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has projected crude oil production of over 2.06 million barrels per day, mbpd, in 2026, hinging its optimism on improved pipeline security and uninterrupted flows along the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP.
Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office of NNPCL, disclosed the projection at the December stakeholders’ engagement hosted by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, for TNP host communities in Port Harcourt.
Omojevwhe also revealed that NNPCL’s 2026 budget is benchmarked at 2.80mbpd, with baseline figures starting at 1.84mbpd.
“We can see that the TNP is green, and what that means is that products are flowing uninterrupted,” he said. “Our targeted projection is 2.06mbpd. As we draw closer to 2026, we ask that you don’t relent. This progress is because of our collective commitment.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s crude output outlook depends heavily on community support, noting that even the most sophisticated private security frameworks cannot succeed without grassroot collaboration.
“The communities are a vital part of this job,” he added. “If the chiefs, CDCs, youth presidents and women leaders don’t take our messages to the people, there will be nothing like ‘green’ on the pipeline.”
Representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Julius Eddie reaffirmed the federal government’s confidence in the TNP host communities, describing their cooperation as pivotal to Nigeria’s rising production curve.
“Without the peace from your domain, production will not be up,” he said. “It is ambitious, but by 2026 we are targeting over two million barrels per day. That means more revenue to government, and more resources for PINL to reach out to you.”
PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the improved production outlook is a direct result of a strengthened community-security model backed by expanded surveillance, social investments and grassroots engagement.
“We have deepened security operations to cover all oil and gas infrastructure near the TNP,” he noted. “We have strengthened community inclusion, empowered women and students, and launched the Town Crier Initiative to improve communication.”
Mezeh cited “zero cases of illegal bunkering” and growing trust between PINL and host communities as major successes that must be sustained into 2026. He appealed for continued cooperation: “Let us continue to protect national assets, empower our people and strengthen the prosperity of our region and nation.”
His Majesty, King Philip Osaro Obele of Eleme Kingdom, urged the Federal Government to channel rising oil revenues into visible development for host communities, saying they have demonstrated commitment to protecting national assets.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of awards to monarchs of TNP host communities for supporting pipeline protection efforts.
