Abuja, July 6, 2024 – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says the inauguration of Utapate crude oil blend will lift Nigeria’s crude oil production by 28,000 barrels per day.
The NNPCL announced this immediately after the inauguration of the Utapate oil blend on Monday in a statement by its Spokesman, Olufemi Soneye.
It said the introduction Utapate crude oil blend and a new crude oil grade into the international crude oil market would increase Nigeria’s oil production level of 1.9 million barrels per day by 28,000 barrels per day.
Located offshore Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, Utapate’s current crude oil production is at 28,000 barrels per day, with the potential to increase it to 50,000 barrels per day.
The Utapate crude oil blend commenced operations in July 2024 and its first cargo headed for Spain
The sulfur content of the new crude is 0.0655 percent.
NNPCL said: “Spanish oil giant Repsol, won the tender for the initial cargo of the new crude blend which is comparable to the much sought-after Amenam crude.
“Gulf Transport and Trading, another leading crude oil dealer, has also secured the cargo tenders for August and September 2024.
“During the Argus European Crude Conference in London last year, NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the NNPC/Aiteo-operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).
“Similar to the Nembe crude oil grade, the Utapate crude oil blend has a low sulfur content and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting perfectly into the required spec of major buyers in Europe.
“This remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and grow reserves through the development of new assets.”
