The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed optimism about the country’s impending increase in oil production. Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive, shared his views during an official visit to Dubai Drydocks World (DDWD) in the United Arab Emirates. The visit was part of the regulatory oversight of the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel’s sail away readiness.
The EMEM FPSO is being converted at DDWD for Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) and will be deployed to the Okwok Field (PML 15), operated by Oriental Okwok Limited, offshore Nigeria. Engineer Komolafe conducted a detailed inspection of the vessel, examining critical areas such as the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, and Seawater Treatment Facilities.
The walkthrough enabled the Commission to assess the project’s compliance, quality, and readiness for sail away. Engineer Komolafe noted that the FPSO’s planned departure to Nigeria aligns with the Project One Million Barrels initiative, which aims to increase the country’s oil production by one million barrels. He expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress, stating that the FPSO will help achieve the project’s goals.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has set targets to increase the country’s oil output to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million in the long term. Currently, Nigeria’s oil output has risen to 1.7 million barrels per day, according to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Ojulari. This increase is a significant improvement from the previous output, which had hovered around 1.3 million barrels per day and 1.4 million barrels per day from January to June 2025.
The EMEM FPSO’s deployment is expected to contribute to the country’s efforts to boost oil production. Engineer Komolafe advised Oriental Energy to participate in the next licensing round, citing the company’s capacity to take on more projects in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The Commission’s support for the project underscores the government’s commitment to increasing oil production and developing the country’s energy sector.
The increase in oil production is a positive development for Nigeria’s economy, which has been impacted by fluctuations in global oil prices. The government’s efforts to boost production and attract investment in the energy sector are crucial for the country’s economic growth and development. As the country moves forward with its plans to increase oil production, the successful deployment of the EMEM FPSO will be a significant step towards achieving its goals.