Nigeria's crude oil production rose to its highest level in more than six years in June, exceeding its OPEC production quota as stable operations and improved pipeline reliability boosted output, according to data released by the regulator.

Africa's largest oil producer pumped an average of 1.56 million barrels per day of crude oil last month, above the 1.5 million bpd quota allocated by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, achieving 104% compliance, data from the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission showed.

Including condensates, which are not subject to OPEC quotas, Nigeria's total oil production averaged 1.735 million bpd in June, up from 1.700 million bpd in May and marking a fourth consecutive month of growth.

June's crude oil output was the highest recorded since April 2020, a 74-month high.

Production uptime

Stable operations across producing assets and the absence of major pipeline outages helped support production uptime and crude evacuation, according to the data.

Peak combined crude oil and condensate production was 1.89 million bpd in June, “reflecting Nigeria’s potential to reach 2mbpd in the near term,” the NUPRC said.    

Nigeria has shown sustained growth in its crude and condensate output so far this year. Total oil output rose from 1.48 million bpd in February to 1.735 million bpd in June, according to the figures reported by the NUPRC. 

Nigeria has struggled to pump its quota in recent years as sabotage often led to force majeure at major export streams. 

However, with a recent crackdown on oil theft and sabotage in the Niger Delta, Nigeria has managed to increase crude production and aims for further growth by 2030.