Nigeria’s crude output rises in April 2026, nears OPEC quota as exports expand

Nigeria’s crude oil output rose in April 2026 after a weaker March, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. Average daily crude oil and condensates production increased to 1.663 million barrels per day from 1.546 million barrels per day in the previous month, reflecting improved field performance and output stability. 

The improvement reflects output from producing assets and fewer disruptions tied to maintenance work and pipeline interruptions that weighed on performance in previous months. It also points to an operating environment across parts of the upstream sector where production has been affected by theft, technical downtime and shutdowns over the period.

Crude oil output averaged 1.488 million barrels a day in April, bringing Nigeria close to its 1.5 million barrels a day OPEC quota. Condensate production lifted total output above the quota level, placing Africa’s largest oil producer within reach of full compliance for the first time in several months, according to industry data, official production estimates and reports.

Nigeria expands crude export grades

In a parallel move, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited expanded its crude export portfolio with the first shipment of the Cawthorne crude grade to Europe. The 950,000-barrel cargo was loaded aboard the MT Eburones and delivered to the Netherlands on April 5. Cawthorne is a light, sweet crude with an API gravity of 36.4, placing it in a similar quality range to Bonny Light and making it attractive to refiners seeking higher yields of petrol and diesel. 

The launch of Cawthorne exports follows earlier introductions of the Nembe and Utapate crude grades. Together, these additions reflect a shift in Nigeria’s crude marketing approach, with more attention placed on product differentiation and supply reliability as buyers look for consistency in global sourcing in international trade flows and pricing channels and contracts.

Focus on operational stability improvements

NNPC recently reported progress on major gas infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening domestic supply. OB3 gas pipeline has completed its River Niger crossing using horizontal directional drilling, a phase that delayed completion in previous years. The section runs two kilometers beneath riverbed and raises capacity to roughly 2 billion standard cubic feet per day. 

The OB3 pipeline links with the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas project, forming a wider network designed to move natural gas across southern, central, and northern parts of the country. The system is expected to support power generation, fertilizer production, and industrial activity, while also improving access to gas for commercial users.

Separately, NNPC signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. The agreement covers technical support and investment cooperation for rehabilitation of Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari said the arrangement aims to improve performance and operational stability at the refineries.