Nigeria loses 600,000 bpd to Niger Delta crisis

LAGOS (AFP) – Nigeria is currently losing 600,000 barrels of oil per day in the oil rich Niger Delta as a result of the activities of militants in the region, oil officials said here.

“The country is losing 600,000 barrels of oil per day in the Niger Delta because of the bitter battle militants are waging against the oil companies”, Funsho Kupolokun, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) told reporters in Lagos.


Nigeria is the world’s sixth biggest exporter, accounting for a daily output of some 2.6 million barrels.

The Niger Delta is home to Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar oil and gas industry. The region has seen a resurgence in violent attacks on oil firms and personnel since the past two years.

More than 100 foreign workers have been kidnapped, but later released, while scores of Nigerian security personnel have been killed by militant groups or armed gangsters.

AFP