Chevron Nigeria has achieved a milestone in pipeline security, recording zero incidents of sabotage or oil theft over the past year, the company’s chairman and managing director for the Nigeria/mid-Africa business unit, announced over the weekend.
Jim Swartz disclosed this breakthrough during a visit to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) corporate headquarters in Abuja, describing it as the longest period the oil giant has operated without experiencing pipeline attacks or crude oil theft.
“Chevron has not recorded any oil theft or attacks on our pipelines this year. This is the longest we’ve gone without oil theft,” Swartz stated, highlighting improvement in operational security.
The achievement marks a significant turnaround for Nigeria’s oil sector, which has long grappled with widespread pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and attacks that have severely hampered production and revenue generation.
Industry observers attribute Chevron’s success partly to the enhanced security operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private pipeline surveillance company owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The firm’s deployment of advanced technology and local intelligence networks has strengthened monitoring and control capabilities across Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.
Read also: US energy giant Chevron to expand Nigeria presence on improved environment
The improved security environment has contributed to a substantial increase in national oil production.
According to sources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and International Oil Companies (IOCs) have ramped up production to 1.8 million barrels per day, a dramatic recovery from the 600,000 barrels per day recorded during peak periods of pipeline sabotage in previous years.
Building on this momentum, the Federal Government has set an ambitious production target of 2.06 million barrels per day, as outlined in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) recently unveiled by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
The chief executive officer of NUPRC expressed satisfaction with Chevron’s testimony, crediting initiatives implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating an enabling environment for improved oil sector security.
Chevron operates as a member of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), a subgroup of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry representing approximately 31 oil and gas companies that collectively control about 85 percent of Nigeria’s oil production.
OPTS is dedicated to the sustainable exploration, development, and production of Nigeria’s petroleum resources for the benefit of Nigerians.
Beyond infrastructure protection, TSSNL’s operations have generated positive spillover effects in the Niger Delta region. The company has created employment opportunities for local youth, addressing a key driver of restiveness that has historically fueled pipeline attacks and oil theft in the area.
The combination of enhanced security, increased production, and job creation represents a comprehensive approach to resolving long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s oil sector, potentially boosting the nation’s crude oil earnings and overall economic performance.
