Crude oil losses in Nigeria’s upstream sector have dropped to 9,600 barrels per day in July 2025, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission data has revealed.
This is according to trends of crude oil losses year-to-date July 2025, released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Thursday.
According to the ‘trends of crude oil losses year-to-date July 2025’ report, between January and July 2025, crude oil losses were contained at 2.04 million barrels, averaging 9,600 barrels per day over the seven months. This is the lowest figure since 2009, when losses dropped to an all-time low of 8,500 bpd.
This is also a 50.2 per cent decline from 4.1 million barrels lost at a daily average of 11,300 barrels in 2024, and a 94.57 per cent drop from 37.6 million barrels at a daily average of 102,900 barrels recorded in 2021.
The NUPRC, in a statement issued to Journalists on Thursday, said that since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, Nigeria has recorded steady progress in reducing crude oil losses.
“In 2021, losses stood at 37.6 million barrels, averaging 102,900 barrels per day. By 2022, this dropped to 20.9 million barrels at a daily average of 57,200 barrels.
“The downward trend continued in 2023, with losses reduced to 4.3 million barrels at 11,900 barrels per day. Even more progress was made in 2024, as losses were further contained to 4.1 million barrels, averaging 11,300 barrels per day,” the commission stated.
The Commission also explained that it has adopted a balanced mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling oil losses. “On the kinetic front, the Commission has continued to collaborate closely with security agencies, operators and communities.
“On the non-kinetic front, NUPRC has implemented strategic regulatory measures to close systemic loopholes. One key initiative is the metering audit across upstream facilities to ensure accurate measurement of production and exports.
“To further strengthen control, the NUPRC, under the leadership of Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes to combat oil theft,” it stated
