The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that crude oil losses in the nation’s upstream sector fell to 9,600 barrels per day (bpd) in July 2025, the lowest in nearly 16 years.
In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission said the last time Nigeria recorded such a low figure was in 2009, when losses dropped to 8,500 bpd.
The NUPRC described the development as a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to eliminate crude oil losses caused by theft, sabotage, and metering inaccuracies.
“Between January and July 2025, crude oil losses were contained at 2.04 million barrels, averaging 9,600 barrels per day over the seven-month period. This marks a clear departure from the high-loss years that have long plagued the industry,” the Commission stated.
The regulator emphasized that the reduction reflects a combination of tighter oversight, improved monitoring, and strengthened collaboration with operators and security agencies across Nigeria’s oilfields and pipeline networks.
Industry analysts say the progress could boost investor confidence and enhance Nigeria’s oil export revenues, provided the trend is sustained.