In a move to reinforce confidence in the nation’s upstream potential, ExxonMobil has affirmed its long-term commitment to the oil and gas sector with a planned $1.5 billion investment in deepwater exploration and development projects.
Country Managing Director, Shane Harris, disclosed this during a courtesy visit  to the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
A statement on the NUPRC’s website  revealed that the investment, planned to be executed between Q2 2025 and 2027, would focus primarily on revitalizing production at the Usan deepwater oil field.
The oil major hinted that a Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected in late Q3 2025, pending the final approval of the Field Development Plan (FDP), along with internal and partner funding approvals.
In addition to the Usan field, ExxonMobil also revealed intentions to accelerate development activities in other key deepwater assets, including the Owowo and Erha fields.
These developments are part of a broader strategy to strengthen its operational footprint in Nigeria and support the country’s drive for increased production.
Speaking during the visit, Harris stated that the planned capital expenditure underscored ExxonMobil’s belief in the long-term viability of Nigeria’s upstream sector and its strategic importance in the global energy landscape.
Harris, who  expressed ExxonMobil’s support for NUPRC’s “Project 1 Million Barrels” initiative, which aims to boost Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity to 2.4 million barrels per day in the medium term, stressed the need for strategic collaboration between operators and regulators in achieving this ambitious target.
He further pledged to use the platform to foster stronger collaboration between industry players and the NUPRC with a focus on addressing regulatory challenges and unlocking further investment opportunities in the sector.
Responding to the development, the NUPRC boss, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, welcomed the announcement, describing ExxonMobil’s renewed commitment as timely and crucial for Nigeria’s upstream growth.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to boost oil production significantly by the end of 2025.
Lokpobiri made the call during an interview with Energy Editors at the  Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Houston, Texas, United States.
Emphasizing the need for accelerated growth in the nation’s oil output, Lokpobiri said he had increased oil production target from President Bola Tinubu’s initial goal of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) to 2.5 million bpd.
According to a statement, “The Federal Government on Wednesday directed the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) to increase oil production beyond current levels by the end of the year.
“Although President Bola Tinubu had initially tasked the NNPCL with ramping up production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) but later increased the target to 2.5 million bpd”.
He insisted that the new target is achievable, noting that the nation had previously reached that level during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite low investment.
Lokpobiri explained that the “Drill or Drop” policy under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) required new drilling to replenish reserves for every oil extraction, using underground surveys.
He urged global investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s improved regulatory environment and competitive fiscal terms, describing the country as a top destination for energy investment.

Oil and Gas Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have expressed delight over the improved oil output from the region, attributing it to the activities of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the contracting firm providing security to the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
The stakeholders, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), insisted that the pipeline infrastructure in the region has been adequately covered thereby meeting up its target since the inception of the PINL.
Speaking at the One-Day Interactive Forum of Oil and Gas Host communities, organised in appraisal of PINL’s operations on the Trans Niger Pipeline, held in PortHarcourt, Thursday, the Director, Energy Security, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, lauded the PINL, saying the company was operating in line with the mandate given to it by the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser .
Represented by Young Harry Amachree, Flag-Amachree said, “I want to personally appreciate PINL for the work they are doing. It was a mandate that was given to them by the President to secure the pipelines, and with your collaboration, what we are seeing today is impressive.
“This is a meeting of appraisal and I have listened to everyone and everyone is towing the same line with my thought and I want to say PINL, thank you for a job well done”.
Noting the economic implications of pipeline safety, Flag-Amachree said all hands must be on deck to drive the economy forward.
He said, “when the treasury of the nation drops, it affects Nigerians and so when it comes to securing the pipelines, everyone of us must put our hands together to achieve our common goal.
“We have prosecuted more than 100 suspects as of today and some serving prison terms.
“The teams are working 24 hours to make sure that those involved in this illegal activity are dealt with according to the law. So, I’m giving you the assurance that whatever information you have about these vandals, please don’t hesitate to call our attention to apprehend them.”
On his part, the Head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, NNPCL, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, commended PINL for its efforts which has led to improved output on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Omojevwe said, “we want to appreciate you,  the PINL, because from what we have observed, a lot has really changed. If we look at the tender receipts of 2 years ago, there are lots of improvement, so we can say that you have done well and we appreciate you”.
While calling for more efforts by the PINL, Omojevwe said, “so, from our side, we are saying that for PINL to do very well, it depends on you also. It must be a collaborative effort. Everybody is involved so long as this surveillance is involved”.
Also speaking, the President, Movement for the Emancipation of Izon Ethnic Nationality, Dr. Kennedy West, expressed gratitude for surveillance activities of the PINL.
“I want to thank PINL for bringing people from 215 communities within the Trans Niger Pipeline to discuss on what used to be wrong and I want to say, PINL you are getting it right.
“Not only that you have our thumps up, but we are using this medium to reiterate a vote of confidence on Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited. We are not just saying that but we are using this medium to also call on NNPCL to do an upward review of the contract based on current realities so that there will be financial boom within the communities”, West stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Community Relations Consultant, PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the essence of the engagement was to appraise the company’s activities in the Communities for the years and seek ways of improvement.
According to him, PINL’s mandate to protect the Trans Niger Pipeline has been achieved through engagements with the host communities calling for a united front against pipeline vandalism.
Reeling the activities of the company, Mezeh said, “We have carried out social investments based on needs assessment done mitigating the socio-economic drivers of oil theft while promoting sustainable empowerments of our communities.
“We have also ensured that we restore the environment hitherto destroyed by incessant crude oil theft with the associated hazards.
“Also, we have achieved near-zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline and, of course, that is giving us increased crude oil production and has boosted investors’ confidence in our economy with the attendant revenue increase.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu