NNPC Limited recorded improved crude oil production and robust natural gas output in March 2026, even as downstream fuel availability remained a significant challenge.
According to the company’s Monthly Report Summary for March 2026, Nigeria produced an average of 1.56 million barrels per day (mmbpd) of crude oil and condensate. This represents a recovery from February, driven largely by the completion of maintenance on the OML 118 Bonga Turaround, which delivered 12 extra days of production.
Natural gas production stood strong at 7,731 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), reflecting sustained performance in the gas segment.
Financially, NNPC Limited posted impressive numbers for the month. Revenue reached ₦2,774 billion, while Profit After Tax stood at ₦276 billion. For the first quarter of 2026, the company made statutory payments totalling ₦2,888 billion.
Pipeline infrastructure showed mixed but generally positive results. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline recorded 96% availability, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline achieved 93% availability. Overall upstream pipeline availability was 76%.
The report highlighted ongoing strategic infrastructure work. Welding of the 24-inch spur line on the AKK pipeline to the Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant has been completed, with significant progress recorded on the mainline. On the OB3 pipeline, drilling operations for the River Niger Crossing continued as scheduled.
However, downstream performance remained a weak spot. PMS availability at NNPC Retail Stations across the country stood at only 56%, indicating persistent fuel supply challenges despite higher upstream production. This low availability continues to fuel consumer hardship and supply gaps in several parts of the country.
The company noted that production in February and March was negatively impacted by the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) outage, caused by a leak at the Kemor axis, which led to curtailments across several assets.
From the Energy Desk Perspective
March’s numbers show NNPC’s upstream segment slowly regaining momentum, supported by better asset reliability and gas infrastructure delivery. The strong gas production figures are particularly encouraging as the country pushes its Decade of Gas agenda and targets of 12 billion scf/d by 2030.
Yet the persistent gap between upstream gains and downstream realities remains glaring. Until fuel availability improves significantly at retail outlets, many Nigerians will continue to experience the disconnect between headline production figures and daily energy access.
NNPC says all figures are provisional and subject to reconciliation. The coming months will be critical as the company works to resolve evacuation constraints and strengthen overall system resilience.
