From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Minister of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has linked crude oil shortfall to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline, coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some Oil companies operating in Nigeria.
The Minister, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, said that measures were not only being taken to restore production to previous levels, but to also increase it.
He said: “In response to recent concerns regarding a shortfall in oil production in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024, the Minster of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, assures that measures are being taken to address the situation to, not only restore production to previous levels, but to also increase it.
“The minister clarifies that the reported production shortfall was primarily due to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline, coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some oil companies operating in Nigeria.
“The Minister is also pleased to announce that the issues have been adequately addressed, and production is expected to return to its previous levels in the coming days.
“He anticipates that Nigeria’s oil production, including condensate, which was approximately 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) prior to these developments, will soon be restored.
“Furthermore, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is actively engaged in policy evolution aimed at maximizing the utilization of all available wells in Nigeria.”