Nigeria’s crude oil production climbed to its highest level in more than six years in June, as improved pipeline reliability and stable operations lifted output above the country’s production target under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to data released Sunday by the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission.

Africa’s largest oil producer pumped an average of 1.56 million barrels of crude oil per day in June, exceeding its OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day by about 4 percent, the regulator said. Including condensates, which are exempt from OPEC production limits, Nigeria’s total oil output reached an average of 1.735 million barrels per day in June, up from 1.700 million barrels per day in May.

Stable operations drive Nigeria’s oil recovery

The increase marked the fourth straight month of production growth. June’s crude output was the country’s highest since April 2020, the strongest level in 74 months. The regulator attributed the increase to stable operations across producing assets and the absence of major pipeline disruptions, which helped keep production running smoothly and supported crude exports.

Nigeria has steadily increased production this year. Total oil output, including condensates, rose from 1.483 million barrels per day in February to 1.546 million in March, 1.663 million in April, 1.700 million in May and 1.735 million in June. June’s total production was 2.2 percent higher than the previous month, extending a sustained recovery in the country’s oil sector.

Operational hurdles impact NNPC’s May revenue

The stronger production figures come as Nigeria’s state-owned NNPC Limited reported weaker financial results for May despite maintaining output. According to the company’s latest monthly report released Wednesday, revenue fell 13 percent to N4.33 trillion ($3.15 billion) in May from N4.97 trillion ($3.62 billion) in April, a decline of N636 billion ($463.7 million).

Profit after tax also slipped to N462 billion ($336.9 million), down from N481 billion ($351 million) a month earlier. The results suggest that lower earnings were driven by market conditions and operational challenges rather than lower production. NNPC said it maintained production at an average of 1.73 million barrels of crude oil and condensate per day in May, while natural gas output averaged 7.77 billion standard cubic feet per day.