The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen accountability in the crude oil sector with the inauguration of Nigeria’s first Gravimetric Multifaceted Flow Metering Calibration Facility in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
The facility was unveiled by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and is designed to enhance the accuracy of crude oil measurement, curb production losses, and improve revenue transparency across the upstream segment.
According to the regulator, the calibration centre provides precise testing and verification of oil flow meters used by operators. This ensures that production volumes are accurately measured and properly accounted for.
The project, described as the first of its kind in West Africa, addresses a long-standing industry challenge — uncertainty in crude oil measurement. For decades, inaccurate metering has contributed to disputes, revenue leakages, and reliance on overseas laboratories for calibration.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, commended Engineering Automation Technology Limited, the indigenous firm that developed the facility.
Eyesan, represented by the Deputy Director for Development at NUPRC, Manuel Ibituroko, described the plant as “a transformative leap forward.” She said the centre features zero-touch automation, tamper-proof audit trails, and high-precision gravimetric standards designed to eliminate human error and minimise downtime.
The facility can calibrate turbine, ultrasonic, Coriolis, electromagnetic, and positive displacement meters — critical devices used to determine volumes of crude flowing through pipelines and export terminals.
Regulators said accurate measurement will curb revenue losses, strengthen reserves management, and free public funds for infrastructure, healthcare, and education. It is also expected to position Nigeria as a regional hub for metering excellence.
Previously, operators depended on foreign calibration services, leading to shipping costs, delays, and foreign exchange outflows. The new plant is expected to retain that value within the domestic economy.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Engineering Automation Technology Limited, Emmanuel Okon, said the project was inspired by Nigeria’s local content drive after indigenous firms were encouraged in 2020 to build in-country technical capacity.
“Without dependable calibration, even advanced meters produce inconsistent narratives. With it, we align on a unified truth,” Okon said.
He explained that the facility incorporates traceable standards, automated data capture, and documented uncertainty budgets certified to international benchmarks. This, he said, allows regulators, auditors, and commercial partners to rely on a single verified dataset.
The project was executed under NUPRC oversight with support from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and other stakeholders to ensure certificates are recognised for statutory reporting and compliance.
Industry stakeholders believe the development will improve transparency in royalties and taxes, tackle crude oil theft, and enhance investor confidence through verifiable production figures.
The facility is also projected to create hundreds of skilled jobs, deepen domestic technical expertise in petroleum measurement technology, and support economic growth in the host community.
