Uche Cecil Izuora
More crude oil export infrastructure deployment is now balancing Nigeria’s export potentials following Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) completion of first crude oil export from its newly constructed Otakikpo onshore terminal.
This feat marks a significant development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The company confirmed that the export took place on Sunday, June 8, when a vessel chartered by Shell lifted the terminal’s maiden crude cargo.
The facility is situated within the Otakikpo marginal field in Rivers State.
The Otakikpo terminal is the first privately built and operated onshore crude export terminal in Nigeria in more than 50 years.
In a statement, GEIL Chairman, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, applauded the achievement as historic. He attributed the success to divine grace, the resilience of the company’s staff, and the collaboration of regulatory agencies.
“We are deeply grateful to all our partners and commend the dedication of our indigenous technical team, who worked relentlessly to bring this project to life. This is a moment of pride for Nigeria and a milestone for African-owned energy enterprises,” he stated.
The terminal boasts an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, with plans for future expansion to three million barrels. It also has the capability to pump 360,000 barrels per day for loading export tankers.
According to Adegbulugbe, the terminal was completed in less than two years and represents the first crude export terminal developed by a private African operator.
He disclosed that over $400 million had been invested in the project’s initial phase, with overall development costs projected to exceed $1.3 billion.
The facility is designed to receive up to 250,000 barrels of crude per day, although current production from the Otakikpo field stands at about 10,000 barrels per day.
GEIL noted that the terminal offers a strategic evacuation solution for more than 40 nearby stranded oil fields, which are collectively estimated to contain over three billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Energy experts believe the Otakikpo terminal could enhance Nigeria’s crude output, reduce dependence on offshore terminals, and stimulate new investment in the country’s oil industry.
With global demand for African crude on the rise, the terminal is expected to attract further investor interest and bolster Nigeria’s standing in the international energy market.
GEIL emphasised that the Otakikpo facility would play a pivotal role in improving crude evacuation and supporting production growth aligned with Nigeria’s long-term energy strategy.