The federal government has declared plans to work with the Nigerian Navy in order to meet its goal of producing 3 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) by 2025.
This announcement was made by Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), on Monday during the launch of the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II (OPDS II) by the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt.
Lokpobiri emphasized the Nigerian Navy’s crucial role in maintaining security and said it would keep working with other security organizations to fight pipeline damage and oil theft.
Lokpobiri voiced concern about the persistent sabotage of the Trans Niger Pipeline in spite of these attempts.
The Trans Niger Pipeline remains a major challenge, with criminals breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil, and the Nigerian Navy has pledged to intensify its efforts to protect these national assets, building on its successes in 2024, he remarked.
Lokpobiri pointed out that the first phase, which was introduced on January 10, had helped to increase output figures, prompting the Nigerian Navy to proceed with the second phase of OPDS.
He also called on security agencies, maritime contractors, traditional rulers, and local youths to support the navy’s efforts and highlighted the possibility for higher government revenue and better distributions to states and local governments, underscoring the wider ramifications of reducing oil theft.
First phase OPDS
On his part, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, expressed hope that the 3 million barrels per day production goal could be achieved.
According to him, Operation Delta Sanity was created especially to combat maritime crimes such as pipeline damage and oil theft while maintaining a safe environment for lawful operations.
The first phase of OPDS accomplished the arrest of 215 suspects, the destruction of 468 illegal refineries, and the seizure of about 6.5 million liters of stolen crude oil and 7 million liters of adulterated diesel, according to a report delivered by Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command.
“The initial phase of the OPDS led to numerous arrests of vessels and oil thieves, as well as the dismantling of several illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta.
“These measures resulted in significant improvements in legitimate maritime activities and boosted crude oil production, with several oil companies reporting 100 percent terminal factor,” Ogalla stated.
Oil production plans for 2025
Moreover, he expanded on the country’s oil production. In August 2023, stating that it was barely a million bpd, and currently, the nation produces about 1.8 million bpd.
“Our target is to reach 3 million bpd by 2025, and we are confident that the second phase of OPDS will play a key role in achieving this milestone,” Ogalla said.
In spite of the successes of the initial phase of the OPDS, Ogalla explained that the navy saw the need to refine the operation to achieve even better outcomes in 2025.
He stated that rejigging the operation involves deploying newly acquired maritime domain awareness infrastructure, attack helicopters, armed drones, and enhanced intelligence-gathering systems.
“We are also incorporating non-kinetic approaches and strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to sustain and increase crude oil production beyond 2 million bpd, as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
