TNP: NNPC Targets 2.06m Bpd Oil Production in 2026, Lauds PINL

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has set a 2.06 million barrels per day crude oil production target for 2026. 

This as the NNPC and other stakeholders have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for its strengthened relationship with host communities of Trans-Niger Pipelines (TNP) in achieving the recorded success in the increased oil production.

The commendation was made yesterday during the regular stakeholders meeting with host communities of the TNP organised PINL in Port Harcourt. 

In his remarks, Mr Akponime Omojevwhe, Head Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, NNPC, who credited the sustained growth in the oil production to communities and stakeholders’ collaboration with PINL, noted that currently the TNP is producing optimally. 

He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate all our stakeholders on this corridor because right now. We can see that the TNP is green and what that means is that the products are flowing uninterrupted. 

“Secondly, I want to say that our budget for 2026 is targeted at 2.80mbpd and the budget begins from 1.84mbpd while our targeted projection is 2.06mbpd. So we want to say that even as we draw closer to next year 2026, as we have come together to ensure that the projection is going up, we want to crave your indulgence, please don’t relent”. 

Highlighting the importance of stakeholders and communities in securing the pipelines, the NNPC official noted that no private security company can achieve success without their collaboration. 

“The communities are a vital part of this job. So anytime we find ourselves, we must always appreciate them because the community leaders such as the chiefs, CDCs, youth presidents, women leaders, if they don’t carry out our messages to the community people, there will be nothing like green as far as the pipeline is concerned. 

“So our message is clear, we appreciate you and always assist PINL efforts just as you have been doing, ” he added.

Also in his remark, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri appreciated the collaboration between the communities and PINL, stressing its impact on oil production output in the country. 

Represented at the meeting by Julius Eddie, his Special Adviser on Host Communities, Lokpobiri said: “Today, all of us can testify to the production level and it’s so ambitious for 2026 that we are going to hit the target of 2 million plus barrels per day production. This will bring more money to the government and also, more money to PINL to be able to reach out to you,” he stated.

Earlier in his address, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the meeting gave the company the opportunity  to review its progress in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

He said it also availed the opportunity to celebrate, fellowship, and appreciate critical stakeholders, especially leaders of  host communities for their support and commitment that have sustained the economic stability of the country.

Meanwhile, one of the host community leaders, His Majesty, King Philip Osaro-Obele, called on the federal government to carry out more development in the communities, now that there is increased revenue output from oil production.