Nigeria's oil output hit highest level since 2020 in June, regulator says

• Nigeria achieved 104% compliance with its OPEC quota, producing 1.56 million bpd of crude oil in June, a 74-month high
• Total oil production including condensates reached 1.735 million bpd, up from 1.700 million bpd in May
• Stable operations across producing assets and absence of major pipeline outages supported the production increase and crude evacuation

Summary: Nigeria's Oil Output Reaches Six-Year High

Key Development:

Nigeria's crude oil production reached 1.56 million barrels per day (bpd) in June 2026, the highest level since April 2020—a 74-month high. This marks the fourth consecutive month of production growth for Africa's largest oil producer.

Production Figures:

• Crude oil output: 1.56 million bpd (exceeding OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd)
• OPEC quota compliance: 104%
• Total production including condensates: 1.735 million bpd (up from 1.700 million bpd in May)
• Condensates are not subject to OPEC quotas

Contributing Factors:

The production increase was driven by stable operations across producing assets, improved pipeline reliability, and the absence of major pipeline outages. These factors enhanced production uptime and crude oil evacuation capabilities.

Market Implications:

Nigeria exceeding its OPEC production quota could impact global oil supply dynamics and OPEC+ production management strategies. The sustained production growth over four months suggests improved operational stability in Nigeria's oil sector, which has historically struggled with pipeline theft, infrastructure challenges, and security issues.

The data was released by the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission on July 13, 2026. The Dangote oil refinery, visible in accompanying images, represents significant infrastructure development in Nigeria's petroleum sector.

This production milestone demonstrates Nigeria's recovering oil sector capacity and could strengthen the country's position within OPEC while potentially affecting global oil pricing and supply balance.