Nigeria Approves 37 New Oil Routes in Major Anti-Theft Offensive
Nigeria’s upstream regulator has secured federal government approval for 37 new crude oil evacuation routes in what industry experts are calling a game-changing strategy to combat oil theft and revive the country’s flagging production levels. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced the breakthrough development as part of sweeping reforms to reposition Nigeria’s upstream industry for global competitiveness.
NUPRC Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe revealed that the commission’s alignment with armed forces and security agencies has significantly enhanced protection of critical oil infrastructure. The new evacuation routes represent a strategic intervention in a sector that has been hemorrhaging billions annually due to theft and sabotage.
The approval comes as part of NUPRC’s ambitious One Million Barrels Initiative, which aims to boost daily production from the current 1.7 million barrels per day to 2.5 million barrels by 2026. The strategy, launched in 2024, focuses on reviving dormant fields, accelerating project approvals, and eliminating bottlenecks in upstream licensing.
Industry analysts have praised the development as evidence of regulatory consistency that has already attracted $16 billion in investment commitments under the current administration in just two years. The Centre for Energy Governance and Accountability described the new routes as “not just a bureaucratic adjustment but a strategic intervention” that signals serious commitment to plugging revenue leakages.
The commission has also implemented the HostComply initiative, ensuring real-time compliance with host community obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act, which has been crucial to securing social license to operate in Nigeria’s restive oil-producing regions.
Source: independent.ng
