Minister Blames Crude Production Fall On Trans-Niger Pipeline, Maintenance

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has  blamed the crude oil production shortfall in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2024) on challenges with the Trans Niger Pipeline and the maintenance that some oil companies carried out.
Lokpobiri revealed this in a Statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, and issued to newsmen in Abuja.
According to the statement, Lokpobiri is intensifying efforts at restoring  the production to previous level of 1.7million barrels per day and also exceed it.
It said, “In response to recent concerns regarding a shortfall in oil production in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri,  assures that measures are being taken to address the situation to, not only restore production to previous levels, but also increase it.
“The Minister clarifies that the reported production shortfall was primarily due to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline, coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some oil companies operating in Nigeria”.
The Minister in the statement further announced that the issues have been adequately addressed, and production expected to return to its previous levels in the coming days.
He expressed hopes that Nigeria’s oil production, including condensate, wh
ich was approximately 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) prior to these developments, would be restored soon.