Nigeria Crude Oil Production: How Much Oil Does Nigeria Produce and Where Does It Come From?
Nigeria has one of Africa’s most important petroleum industries, with crude oil production concentrated largely in the Niger Delta and offshore areas. But how much crude oil does Nigeria actually produce, which states contribute to that production, and where does the oil come from?
These questions matter to international buyers, refiners, traders, investors and companies involved in the Nigerian petroleum supply chain.
Nigeria’s crude oil production changes from month to month because of field performance, maintenance, pipeline and evacuation conditions, security issues, new production projects and other operational factors. Consequently, production should always be discussed using a specific reporting period rather than a single permanent figure.
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria produced an average of 1,500,190 barrels of crude oil per day in August 2026, excluding condensates. When condensates were included, total crude oil and condensate production averaged 1,677,777 barrels per day. NUPRC said this represented the country’s fourth consecutive month meeting its OPEC crude production quota.
The figures illustrate an important point: Nigeria remains a major crude-producing country, but its output is dynamic rather than fixed.
For companies interested in the commercial side of Nigerian petroleum, understanding where production comes from is an important first step before considering a Nigerian crude oil supply or procurement enquiry.
Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production at a Glance
Nigeria’s petroleum production can broadly be understood through three interconnected areas:
- Onshore production
- Shallow-water production
- Deepwater offshore production
The country also produces condensate, which is reported separately from crude oil in many production statistics.
This distinction is important because figures that combine crude oil and condensate can be higher than figures for crude oil alone.
For example, NUPRC’s August 2026 figures show approximately 1.50 million barrels per day of crude oil compared with approximately 1.68 million barrels per day of combined crude oil and condensate.
When researching Nigerian oil production, therefore, always check whether a published number refers to:
crude oil only, or
crude oil plus condensates.
How Much Crude Oil Does Nigeria Produce?
Nigeria’s production has experienced substantial changes over the past decade.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that Nigeria produced approximately 1.5 million barrels per day of crude oil and lease condensate in 2024. EIA also noted that production had declined significantly from the country’s 2015 average because of disruptions, mature producing fields and infrastructure challenges.
More recent NUPRC data shows an improvement in production during 2026.
In June 2026, NUPRC reported average crude oil production of approximately 1.56 million barrels per day, excluding condensates, describing it as a 74-month high.
In July 2026, crude oil production averaged approximately 1.505 million barrels per day, while combined crude oil and condensate production reached approximately 1.67 million barrels per day.
By August 2026, crude oil production stood at approximately 1.50 million barrels per day, while combined crude oil and condensate production was approximately 1.68 million barrels per day.
These monthly figures demonstrate why production statistics should always be dated.
A website claiming that “Nigeria produces exactly X barrels per day” without identifying the reporting period can give readers a misleading impression.
Where Does Nigeria’s Crude Oil Come From?
Nigeria’s crude oil production is concentrated primarily in the country’s petroleum-producing regions, especially the Niger Delta and offshore fields.
NUPRC’s 2024 Annual Report provides state-level production attribution data. For the reporting period covered by the table, the listed crude oil and condensate production included:
| State | Crude Oil/Condensate Production |
|---|---|
| Delta | 99,903,790 barrels |
| Akwa Ibom | 60,320,514 barrels |
| Bayelsa | 53,276,855 barrels |
| Rivers | 50,837,013 barrels |
| Ondo | 8,710,019 barrels |
| Edo | 7,768,043 barrels |
| Imo | 6,329,737 barrels |
| Anambra | 4,779,496 barrels |
| Abia | 3,415,191 barrels |
The same NUPRC table recorded total crude oil and condensate production of 295,340,659 barrels for the states covered in that reporting period.
These figures show that petroleum production is not distributed evenly across Nigeria. A relatively small group of producing states accounts for a substantial share of reported production.
1. Delta State
Delta State is one of Nigeria’s major petroleum-producing areas.
NUPRC’s 2024 state-level production table recorded approximately 99.9 million barrels of crude oil and condensate attributed to Delta State during the reporting period.
The state is strategically important to Nigeria’s petroleum industry because of its combination of oil-producing assets, associated infrastructure and proximity to established petroleum transportation and export systems.
Delta State is also associated with important crude streams and export infrastructure in the broader Niger Delta petroleum network.
For international buyers, the importance of Delta State is therefore not simply the volume of oil produced there. Its relevance also comes from the infrastructure connecting production with processing, storage, transportation and export.
2. Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom is another major oil-producing state in Nigeria.
NUPRC’s 2024 state attribution data recorded approximately 60.3 million barrels of crude oil and condensate for Akwa Ibom during the reporting period.
The state has significant offshore petroleum activity and is associated with crude production that feeds into Nigeria’s broader export system.
One of the country’s internationally recognized crude streams, Qua Iboe, is associated with the Akwa Ibom area.
For buyers specifically interested in Nigerian light crude, understanding the geographical origin and characteristics of individual crude streams is more useful than treating all Nigerian crude as one identical product.
3. Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State sits within the heart of the Niger Delta and has a long history of petroleum production.
NUPRC’s 2024 production attribution recorded approximately 53.3 million barrels of crude oil and condensate for Bayelsa during the reporting period.
The state’s petroleum environment includes onshore and swamp production areas as well as infrastructure connected to the wider Niger Delta oil network.
Bayelsa’s position in the Niger Delta also illustrates an important feature of Nigerian oil production: production areas are connected through a broader network rather than operating as isolated locations.
4. Rivers State
Rivers State is another important component of Nigeria’s petroleum-producing region.
NUPRC’s 2024 data recorded approximately 50.8 million barrels of crude oil and condensate attributed to Rivers State during the reporting period.
Rivers State is particularly important from an oil-industry infrastructure perspective because the wider area includes major petroleum service, transportation, storage and export activities.
The state’s connection to the Niger Delta production system means that its importance extends beyond the number of barrels attributed to the state.
5. Ondo State
Ondo State is also included among Nigeria’s oil-producing states.
NUPRC recorded approximately 8.7 million barrels of crude oil and condensate attributed to Ondo State in its 2024 state-level production data.
Although its reported volume is lower than the major producing states, Ondo demonstrates that petroleum production extends beyond the states traditionally associated most strongly with the Niger Delta.
6. Edo State
Edo State contributed approximately 7.8 million barrels of crude oil and condensate in NUPRC’s 2024 state attribution data.
The state has petroleum-producing assets and is part of the wider southern Nigerian petroleum landscape.
7. Imo, Anambra and Abia
Other states in the NUPRC state-level production table include Imo, Anambra and Abia.
The 2024 figures recorded approximately:
- Imo: 6.33 million barrels
- Anambra: 4.78 million barrels
- Abia: 3.42 million barrels
of crude oil and condensate respectively during the reporting period.
These states demonstrate that Nigerian petroleum production is geographically broader than a simple “Niger Delta states only” description.
The Niger Delta Remains Central to Nigerian Oil Production
The Niger Delta is the geographic centre of Nigeria’s traditional petroleum industry.
The region contains extensive sedimentary basins and has supported decades of oil and gas exploration and production.
NUPRC describes Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources as being located in sedimentary basins both onshore and offshore, with production attributed to various producing states.
The region includes states such as:
- Delta
- Bayelsa
- Rivers
- Akwa Ibom
- Edo
- Ondo
- Imo
- Abia
and other areas associated with Nigeria’s petroleum geology and production infrastructure.
However, describing all Nigerian crude as “Niger Delta crude” can be an oversimplification.
Nigeria also has significant offshore production, including deepwater fields.
Offshore Nigeria: A Major Source of Crude Production
Nigeria’s crude oil industry is not limited to land-based oil fields.
Deepwater production has become increasingly important to national output.
NUPRC’s 2024 Annual Report included production data for major deepwater fields including:
- Agbami
- Erha
- Abo
- Akpo
- Usan
- Egina
- Bonga
- Oyo
For the reporting period covered in the report, these deepwater fields collectively accounted for more than 123.6 million barrels of crude oil and condensate.
Several Nigerian crude grades associated with offshore production are internationally traded.
The EIA’s Nigeria country analysis identifies grades including Agbami, Akpo, Bonga, Egina, Erha, Usan and others, with differences in API gravity and sulfur content.
This is significant for international buyers because offshore production has become an important component of Nigeria’s exportable crude supply.
Major Nigerian Crude Oil Streams
Nigeria does not produce a single uniform crude oil product.
Different fields and production systems generate different crude streams and blends.
The EIA identifies numerous Nigerian grades, including:
- Bonny Light
- Forcados
- Qua Iboe
- Bonga
- Egina
- Agbami
- Akpo
- Erha
- Escravos
- Usan
- Utapate
- Obodo
- and others.
These grades differ in properties such as API gravity and sulfur content.
For example, EIA’s published table lists Bonny Light at approximately 35° API and 0.15% sulfur, Forcados at approximately 32° API and 0.20% sulfur, and Qua Iboe at approximately 38° API and 0.12% sulfur.
These differences matter because refinery configurations vary.
A refinery purchasing crude therefore needs to evaluate the specific crude grade, rather than simply asking for “Nigerian oil.”
Companies interested in specific Nigerian crude streams can review our resources for buying Bonny Light crude oil from Nigeria and buying Forcados crude oil from Nigeria.
Why Nigerian Crude Production Changes
Nigeria’s production does not remain constant throughout the year.
Several factors can influence output.
Field performance
Oil fields naturally experience changing production profiles.
Mature fields may experience declining output unless additional investment, workovers, enhanced recovery or new development activity offsets those declines.
The EIA notes that Nigeria’s producing fields are mature and that production has been affected by declining field performance and infrastructure issues.
Pipeline and evacuation conditions
Crude must move from production locations through appropriate evacuation infrastructure.
Operational problems can therefore affect the ability to move produced crude.
Security
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have historically disrupted Nigerian production.
The EIA identifies security-related incidents and infrastructure disruptions as significant factors behind earlier production declines.
Maintenance
Production facilities require planned maintenance.
Scheduled maintenance can temporarily reduce production before output returns.
New projects
New fields and developments can add production to the national system.
The EIA identified developments such as Akpo West, Ikike and Utapate as contributing to Nigeria’s production recovery.
Weather and operational conditions
Offshore and onshore petroleum operations can also be affected by environmental and operational conditions.
Nigeria’s Recent Production Recovery
Nigeria’s production trend in 2026 provides an example of how quickly national production statistics can change.
NUPRC reported the following progression in average combined crude oil and condensate production:
- February 2026: approximately 1.483 million barrels per day
- March: approximately 1.546 million barrels per day
- April: approximately 1.663 million barrels per day
- May: approximately 1.700 million barrels per day
- June: approximately 1.735 million barrels per day
NUPRC attributed the June improvement primarily to stable operations across most producing assets and the absence of major pipeline outages during the review period.
Production then remained above the 1.5 million barrel-per-day crude target in July and August when crude oil was considered separately from condensates.
This recovery is important, but it should not be interpreted as proof that production will remain at one specific level indefinitely.
Oil production is operational and market-dependent.
What Is the Difference Between Crude Oil and Condensate?
This distinction is frequently misunderstood when Nigerian production figures are discussed.
Crude oil and condensate are both liquid hydrocarbons, but they are not identical categories.
Production statistics may therefore report:
Crude oil
and separately:
Condensate
or combine them as:
Crude oil + condensate
This explains why two apparently different production figures can both be accurate.
For example, NUPRC reported approximately 1.50 million barrels per day of crude oil production in August 2026 and approximately 1.68 million barrels per day when condensate was included.
For professional market analysis, always check the definition behind the number.
How Production Becomes Exportable Supply
Producing oil is only one stage of the petroleum supply chain.
Once crude is produced, it must be gathered, evacuated, stored or transferred through the applicable infrastructure before becoming an export cargo.
The process can broadly involve:
Oil field → gathering system → evacuation infrastructure → storage/export system → terminal → tanker → international market
Not every barrel produced in Nigeria automatically becomes an export cargo available to an individual buyer.
Some production can be subject to different commercial arrangements, domestic requirements, operational constraints or existing lifting commitments.
This is one reason an international buyer should distinguish between:
national production
and
a specific available cargo.
If your company is looking for a Nigerian crude supply opportunity, you can submit a Nigerian crude oil supplier enquiry with your requirements.
What Does Nigerian Crude Production Mean for International Buyers?
For international buyers, production statistics provide useful market context.
However, production statistics alone are not enough to establish that a particular cargo is available.
A serious buyer normally needs to consider:
- crude grade
- quantity
- loading location
- loading window
- seller or supplier authority
- quality specifications
- assay
- inspection arrangements
- pricing basis
- payment terms
- shipping arrangements
- destination
- regulatory requirements
- compliance requirements
This is why professional procurement begins with a clear buyer requirement.
A refinery, for example, may need a particular API range and sulfur specification rather than simply “Nigerian crude.”
For refineries seeking structured assistance, Paradise MultiTrade provides refinery procurement support focused on coordinating relevant sourcing and commercial requirements.
How Crude Quality Affects Production and Procurement
Production volume is only one part of the crude oil equation.
Quality also matters.
Crude oil is commonly evaluated using characteristics including:
- API gravity
- sulfur content
- viscosity
- water and sediment
- metals
- acidity
- distillation characteristics
Different Nigerian crude streams have different characteristics.
The EIA’s published Nigerian crude-grade table shows significant variation in API gravity and sulfur content among Nigerian grades.
This means an international buyer should specify the desired crude grade whenever possible.
A refinery that is optimized for a particular crude profile may not want to substitute another grade simply because both originate from Nigeria.
For buyers requiring laboratory or technical analysis, commodity analysis and laboratory testing can form part of the broader quality-assurance process.
Nigeria’s Major Producing Areas and International Trade
Nigeria’s major producing states and offshore fields are connected to a much larger international trade network.
Once crude reaches an appropriate export system, it can be shipped by tanker to refineries and trading destinations outside Nigeria.
Recent NUPRC production reports show the continuing importance of major export streams.
In July 2026, for example, Forcados averaged approximately 322,340 barrels per day, while Bonny averaged approximately 303,720 barrels per day. Qua Iboe averaged approximately 158,020 barrels per day and Escravos approximately 131,410 barrels per day during the month.
In August 2026, NUPRC reported average production of approximately:
- Bonny: 320,040 barrels per day
- Forcados: 317,400 barrels per day
- Qua Iboe: 171,720 barrels per day
- Escravos: 131,710 barrels per day
These figures are stream or terminal-level production statistics for the respective reporting period and should not automatically be interpreted as freely available export cargo volumes.
Why Production Data Matters to Crude Oil Buyers
Reliable production data helps buyers understand the market in several ways.
1. It provides supply context
A buyer can better understand the scale of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
2. It helps identify important crude streams
Production data can show which streams are significant during a particular period.
3. It supports market analysis
Production changes can affect crude availability and market conditions.
4. It helps with procurement planning
Refineries and traders can monitor production trends when evaluating future supply requirements.
5. It provides context for logistics
Production and terminal information can help buyers understand the infrastructure behind particular crude streams.
However, production statistics should always be combined with current commercial information.
How International Buyers Can Approach Nigerian Crude Procurement
An international company interested in Nigerian crude can begin by clearly defining its requirements.
A useful buyer specification may include:
Company:
Legal company name and country of registration
Crude grade:
For example, Bonny Light, Forcados, Qua Iboe or another grade
Quantity:
Required barrels or monthly volume
Destination:
Country and discharge port
Refinery requirements:
API gravity, sulfur and other relevant specifications
Delivery:
Preferred loading or delivery window
Transaction requirements:
Preferred commercial structure and payment framework
Documentation:
Required compliance and transaction documents
Companies can also register as a crude oil buyer so that their procurement requirements can be clearly established before relevant commercial opportunities are considered.
What Buyers Should Know About Production Claims
One of the most important lessons from Nigerian crude production data is that production does not equal availability.
Suppose Nigeria produces 1.5 million barrels per day.
That does not mean an unknown intermediary can legitimately offer a buyer a specific 1 million-barrel cargo immediately.
The buyer still needs to establish:
- where the cargo originates
- who controls the cargo
- which crude stream it represents
- where it will load
- when it will load
- what documentation supports the offer
- what inspection arrangements apply
- how the transaction is structured
This distinction can protect buyers from misleading supply claims.
A credible procurement process should therefore move from market information to specific, verifiable commercial opportunity.
How Paradise MultiTrade Can Support Nigerian Crude Procurement
Paradise MultiTrade International Limited is positioned to support international trade enquiries involving Nigerian commodities and petroleum-related opportunities.
For qualified buyers interested in Nigerian crude, the process can begin with a clear specification of the buyer’s needs.
Depending on the transaction, support may involve:
- buyer requirement assessment
- supplier sourcing
- commercial coordination
- communication between relevant parties
- documentation coordination
- quality-assurance considerations
- logistics coordination
- shipping-related support
International buyers can buy Nigerian crude oil through a structured enquiry or contact the Paradise MultiTrade Oil & Gas Desk to discuss their requirements.
For transactions that progress into shipping and physical delivery, crude oil shipping and tanker charter assistance may also become relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much crude oil does Nigeria produce per day?
Production changes from month to month. NUPRC reported approximately 1.50 million barrels per day of crude oil in August 2026, excluding condensates. Combined crude oil and condensate production was approximately 1.68 million barrels per day.
Which Nigerian state produces the most crude oil?
Production varies by reporting period. In NUPRC’s 2024 state-level production attribution table, Delta State recorded the largest crude oil and condensate volume among the listed states, at approximately 99.9 million barrels during the reporting period.
Is all Nigerian crude produced in the Niger Delta?
No. Although the Niger Delta is central to Nigeria’s petroleum industry, Nigeria also has substantial offshore production, including deepwater fields such as Agbami, Akpo, Egina and Bonga.
What are the major Nigerian crude oil grades?
Nigeria produces multiple grades, including Bonny Light, Forcados, Qua Iboe, Bonga, Egina, Agbami, Akpo, Erha, Escravos, Usan and Utapate. Their physical characteristics vary.
Does Nigeria produce crude oil and condensate?
Yes. Nigerian production statistics commonly distinguish crude oil from condensates, although some reports combine the two. Buyers should always check which definition a production figure uses.
Can an international company buy Nigerian crude oil?
International companies can explore Nigerian crude procurement opportunities, subject to applicable laws, regulations, commercial arrangements, counterparty verification, cargo availability and compliance requirements.
Does Nigeria’s total production represent available export cargo?
No. National production is not the same thing as freely available cargo. Specific export availability depends on the relevant crude stream, commercial rights, existing commitments, terminal arrangements, timing and other factors.
How can a refinery request Nigerian crude?
A refinery can begin by specifying its desired crude grade, volume, destination, refinery requirements and delivery timeframe. Buyers can also explore refinery procurement support when developing a structured sourcing requirement.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s crude oil production comes from a combination of onshore, shallow-water and deepwater petroleum assets, with the Niger Delta remaining at the centre of the country’s traditional oil-producing system.
Major producing states include Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers, while additional production comes from states such as Ondo, Edo, Imo, Anambra and Abia. Nigeria’s offshore fields also make an important contribution to national output.
Production levels change over time.
NUPRC’s recent 2026 statistics demonstrate that Nigerian crude production has been increasing from the lower levels experienced during earlier years, with crude production reaching approximately 1.50 million barrels per day in August 2026.
But production volume is only the beginning of understanding Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
For an international buyer, the more important question is often:
Which Nigerian crude grade is available, from what supply system, in what quantity, during which loading window, and under what verified commercial arrangement?
That is where production knowledge connects with professional crude procurement.
Companies interested in exploring a Nigerian crude requirement can submit a Nigerian crude oil supplier enquiry, register as a crude oil buyer, or contact Paradise MultiTrade to begin a commercial discussion.
For buyers requiring a formal commercial process, a request for an FCO for Nigerian crude oil or appropriate LOI/ICPO submission may become relevant depending on the transaction stage and applicable requirements.
The essential principle remains simple:
Understand the production. Identify the specific crude. Verify the supply. Then structure the transaction professionally.