Nigerian govt approves metering contract for 187 crude oil flow stations

The Nigerian Government has approved the award of a contract to meter 187 crude oil flow stations in the Niger Delta region by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, announced this to reporters in Abuja at the weekend.

Although he did not reveal the cost of the contract, he said that the metering was intended to properly account for the country’s oil production and export.

Lokpobiri added that the project, aimed at curbing crude oil theft, has a completion timeline of 180 days.

“Two days ago, the Federal Executive Council meeting was held, presided over by Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, wherein we took some very bold steps to reorganize the oil and gas sector

“One of the key approvals by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday has to do with awarding a contract for the metering of our 187 flow stations across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC).

“As part of our steps to ensure that we have proper accountability, the Federal Executive Council approves the metering of all our production.

“We have 187 flow stations in the country, across the Niger Delta area, and there was a contract awarded for us to meter all the flow stations so that we will  be able to properly account for what we produce and what we export,” Lokpobiri said.

According to the latest data by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Nigeria maintained its position as the largest crude oil producer in Africa as its crude production rose to 1.276 million barrels per day in June 2024.