Nigeria’s Condensate Production Strengthens Oil Output, Hits 170,446 bpd in May
By Eyo Nsima
Nigeria’s condensate production continued to play a strategic role in supporting the nation’s hydrocarbon output in 2026, with production rising to 170,446 barrels per day (bpd) in May, helping the country exceed its crude oil production quota allocated by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Data obtained from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that condensate production remained a key contributor to Nigeria’s total liquids output during the first five months of the year, averaging between 163,000 bpd and 170,000 bpd.
The latest figures indicated that Nigeria’s combined crude oil and condensate production rose steadily from 1.63 million bpd in January to 1.70 million bpd in May, representing the highest level recorded since July 2025. The May output consisted of 1.53 million bpd of crude oil and 170,446 bpd of condensate.
Industry analysts said the strong condensate volumes have become increasingly important in sustaining Nigeria’s overall petroleum production, especially during periods when crude oil output is constrained by operational challenges, theft, vandalism and maintenance activities.
In February, for instance, Nigeria’s crude oil production declined sharply to 1.31 million bpd due largely to operational disruptions, while condensate production rose to 170,259 bpd, cushioning the impact of the drop in crude output. Combined production for the month stood at 1.48 million bpd.
Condensates, which are light hydrocarbon liquids produced alongside natural gas, are not subject to OPEC production quotas, making them particularly valuable to Nigeria’s efforts to maximise petroleum revenues and foreign exchange earnings.
The importance of condensates is also reflected in Nigeria’s reserve base. According to NUPRC, the nation’s proven and probable condensate reserves stood at 5.92 billion barrels as of January 1, 2026, complementing crude oil reserves of 31.09 billion barrels. Together, they account for total liquid hydrocarbon reserves of 37.01 billion barrels.
Available production data further showed that condensate output contributed significantly to Nigeria’s ability to surpass its OPEC crude oil quota in May. While crude oil production averaged 1.53 million bpd, representing 102 per cent of the country’s 1.5 million bpd OPEC allocation, condensate production pushed total liquids output to 1.70 million bpd.
However, despite the improvement in production, Nigeria remained below the 1.84 million bpd benchmark adopted in the 2026 Federal Budget. An analysis of NUPRC data showed that combined crude oil and condensate production averaged about 1.61 million bpd between January and May, creating a production shortfall relative to government projections.
Experts noted that continued investments in gas development projects, condensate-rich fields and improved upstream operations could help Nigeria leverage its substantial condensate reserves to enhance revenue generation while supporting domestic refining activities.
The Dangote Refinery and other domestic refining facilities are expected to benefit from improved availability of locally produced hydrocarbons as the country seeks to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthen energy security.
