…Gas output dips, fuel availability drops to 62%
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reported a marginal decline in the country’s daily gas production, which fell to 7.352 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) in May 2025, from 7.354 billion bscfd in April.
This was disclosed in the company’s latest Monthly Report Summary released on Monday, which also showed that gas sales dipped slightly from 4.240 billion bscfd in April to 4.185 billion bscfd in May.
Despite the dip in gas metrics, NNPC posted an increase in revenue, raking in N6.008 trillion in May, compared to N5.972 trillion recorded the previous month. The report also noted a slight uptick in crude oil and condensate production.
However, the downstream sector showed signs of strain. Fuel availability at NNPC Retail Limited outlets dropped to 62 per cent in May, down from 70 per cent in April. Analysts have attributed the decline to supply chain constraints and the ongoing impact of subsidy-free fuel pricing reforms.
On strategic gas infrastructure, the national oil firm reported steady progress. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline project reached 96 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline stood at 81 per cent. Upstream pipeline availability remained strong at 98 per cent. In May, key technical interventions were carried out, including turnaround maintenance of the Trans Escravos Pipeline and flow stations in OML 40 and OML 17.
The company also noted ongoing evaluations to resolve challenges around the River Niger crossing section of the AKK project and determine the optimal execution path for the OB3 River Niger crossing.
NNPC said turnaround maintenance efforts also continued at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, though the review processes are still ongoing.
Under its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the company confirmed that it officially handed over starter packs to 531 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on May 22, 2025. It also completed 6,028 cataract surgeries across northern and southern Nigeria and began the provision of MRI machines to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala-Kano, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Awka. In addition, 4,931 vulnerable farmers in southern Nigeria received comprehensive training on modern agriculture, climate adaptation, and access to markets.