Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), the local affiliate of ExxonMobil, has urged a stronger focus on regulatory clarity and human capital development to accelerate growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Conference in Lagos, Etabuko Abirhire, EEPNL’s executive director of Development, said Nigeria’s ambitious production targets, 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million by 2030, would require streamlined regulation, clear policies, and robust partnerships to attract investment.
“Operational efficiency and human capital development are foundational to unlocking the sector’s full potential. Regulators must provide clarity not just at the macro level, but also during project execution. Meeting these production goals will demand deliberate effort, collaboration, and disciplined execution by all stakeholders,” Abirhire said.
He praised reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and recent presidential directives for boosting investor confidence, particularly in deepwater projects, but stressed that swift and transparent implementation is essential.
Abirhire highlighted EEPNL’s collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), noting that pragmatic governance and local content policies would support large-scale projects. He also showcased ExxonMobil’s integrated efficiency model, which leverages technology and skilled talent to accelerate project delivery at lower costs.
“Technologies like our Discovery 6 Supercomputer have reduced seismic processing time from months to weeks, speeding up decision-making and production start-up,” he added.
Responding to the call for regulatory clarity, Olayemi Adeboyejo, Commission Secretary and Legal Adviser at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to transparency and adaptability.
“Regulation is the architecture of efficiency. The PIA provides a framework for investor confidence, and we remain open to feedback to ensure clarity and competitiveness,” Adeboyejo said.
Esso reiterated its commitment to innovation, workforce development, and partnerships as critical drivers of Nigeria’s energy future.
