The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s crude oil production will soon receive a significant boost following the completion of a new offshore production facility.
Komolafe made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, after an official visit to Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates. The visit was part of the Commission’s regulatory oversight to assess the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel’s readiness for deployment to Nigerian waters.
According to the statement, the EMEM FPSO is being converted for Oriental Energy Resources Limited and will be deployed to the Okwok Field, operated by Oriental Okwok Limited, offshore Nigeria.
During a four-hour inspection, the NUPRC boss examined critical facilities, including the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, Seawater Treatment Facilities, Gas Turbine Generators, Electrical House, LACT Unit, Laboratory, Control Room, and Accommodation Quarters.
Komolafe stated that the FPSO’s imminent deployment marks a positive development for Nigeria’s upstream sector, aligning with the Project One Million Barrels initiative — a national plan to raise daily crude production by one million barrels.
“This FPSO is coming to Nigeria at a time we are seeking to increase production. It will help us achieve our project, One Million Barrels. From what I have seen, I am very impressed, and as the regulator, we will continue to give support to Oriental Energy,” Komolafe said.
He also encouraged Oriental Energy to participate in the next oil licensing round, citing the company’s demonstrated technical and operational capacity.
“We advise that you participate in the next licensing round at least to optimise your capacity. We are convinced that Oriental Energy has the capability to contribute meaningfully to our national development,” he added.
In his remarks, Engineer Goni Sheikh, Executive Vice Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, commended the NUPRC for its continuous guidance and support throughout the project.
“We have received 100 per cent support from the NUPRC since the start of this project. The Commission has been a true business facilitator, ensuring we meet our timelines and maintain regulatory standards,” Sheikh said.
The Okwok Field Development Project represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry and showcases the country’s growing indigenous technical expertise.
The project involves converting the Nordic Mistral, a double-hulled crude oil tanker with a 1 million-barrel storage capacity, into a fully integrated FPSO designed for a 15-year operational lifespan.
The EMEM FPSO features a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), 70,000 barrels of liquid per day (BLPD), and includes systems for produced water treatment (60,000 BWPD), water injection (60,000 BWPD), gas processing (15 MMSCFD), gas lift (7.5 MMSCFD), and gas injection (3.5 MMSCFD).
With accommodation for up to 100 personnel and a 12-point spread mooring system, the vessel is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s offshore production capacity — contributing to the country’s efforts to meet its OPEC+ quota and attract renewed investment in the upstream oil sector.
About the author
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Gavi ready to play for Barcelona after injury
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says Spanish midfielder Gavi is ready to return to action after spending several months out with a knee injury.The 21 year old has received medical clearance and could feature for the first time since August in Barcelona’s next league match at Camp Nou. Gavi suffered a serious injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee last year and later underwent surgery, which kept him on the sidelines for around five months.He has since completed a rehabilitation programme and recently rejoined full group training with the rest of the squad. Flick explained that the club’s medical staff now consider Gavi fit enough to be reintegrated into competitive games, even if he only plays limited minutes at first.The coach added that the final decision on how many minutes he will get depends on how the match goes […]
Ejuke back in Sevilla training ahead of Barcelona clash
Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke has returned to full training with Sevilla ahead of their La Liga clash with Barcelona.The Nigerian missed Wednesday’s session due to a minor ailment but was back with the squad on Thursday, easing fears over his fitness. Reports from Spain say Ejuke took part in team drills and tactical work, indicating he is available for selection for the trip to Camp Nou.His return is a big boost for manager Matías Almeyda, who has been dealing with several injuries in the squad. Defenders Kike Salas and Marcao, as well as forward Peque, are still sidelined, but other players carrying minor knocks have also resumed training.This has slightly improved Sevilla’s options as they prepare for a difficult visit to the La Liga leaders. Ejuke has contributed one goal and one assist for Sevilla this season, adding pace […]
Akor Adams ready and motivated to face Barcelona
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams says he is highly motivated and looking forward to facing Barcelona in Sevilla’s upcoming La Liga clash.The Nigerian forward believes the game is another chance to make history and prove himself against one of the biggest clubs in world football. Adams recently ended a frustrating goal drought by scoring in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.He described the goal as a major confidence boost and said it has put him in a positive frame of mind ahead of the trip to Barcelona. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda confirmed that Adams is in good spirits and fully focused on the task ahead.According to the coach, the striker is working hard in training and understands how important the match is for Sevilla’s season. Adams has been an important player for Sevilla this campaign, […]
Veteran gospel singer Toun Soetan dies at 73
Veteran Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter Toun Soetan has died at the age of 73, leaving the Christian music community in deep mourning.Her death was confirmed in a family statement and by close associates on Friday, March 13, 2026. Toun Soetan, also known as Evangelist Shouet, was widely celebrated as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus Darling Jesus, a song that has been sung in churches across Nigeria and beyond for decades.Through this and many other songs, she built a strong legacy of worship music that touched generations of believers. Reports indicate that news of her passing was first shared on social media by family members and fellow ministers of the gospel.Tributes quickly began to pour in from fans, church leaders, gospel artistes, and colleagues who described her as a devoted minister and a consistent voice in gospel […]
Related
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Ex-Super Eagles legend Henry Nwosu dies at 62
Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62, plunging Nigerian football into deep mourning.He reportedly passed away around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care for several days. The news of his death was announced by his former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, who shared the sad development on his media platforms.Odegbami revealed that Nwosu battled for his life for about five days in the hospital before he passed on. Henry Nwosu was a key member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, which delivered the country’s first-ever AFCON title on home soil.As the youngest player in that team, he was widely admired for his creativity, vision, composure on the ball, and excellent reading […]
Iran envoy urges global action on Palestinian crisis
Iran’s ambassador has called for urgent, coordinated international action to address what Tehran describes as a deepening humanitarian and political crisis facing the Palestinian people. Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel–Palestine war and wider strikes in the region, the envoy urged Muslim and non Muslim nations, especially members of the Non Aligned Movement, to speak out more forcefully against Israeli military operations and the blockade on Gaza. He argued that silence or “neutrality” in the face of rising civilian casualties amounts to complicity. The ambassador called on the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to move beyond statements and adopt “urgent, collective measures” to halt attacks on civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, ensure accountability for alleged war crimes and guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also pressed for sustained funding for UNRWA and other […]
Iran war: Falana urges Nigeria to work with other countries to pressure Trump
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigeria to collaborate with other countries to mount diplomatic pressure on United States President Donald Trump over the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel and the US. Falana said Nigeria should revive its tradition of multilateral diplomacy, like in the days of the Non Aligned Movement, by working with other nations to ensure respect for international law and to push for restraint on all sides. He criticised Trump for what he described as contempt for international law and United Nations resolutions, noting that the US under his watch has withdrawn from dozens of UN decisions. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that Nigeria and other countries must persuade global powers such as China and Russia to intervene diplomatically in the crisis, since they wield significant influence over […]
Police investigate alleged shooting of comedian Broda Shaggi
The police have opened an investigation into the alleged shooting of popular skit maker and comedian Samuel Perry, better known as Broda Shaggi, during a skit shoot in Ogun State. Reports say Broda Shaggi sustained a gunshot injury on Sunday afternoon while filming a comedy skit under the Sango Ota bridge in the Sango Ota area of Ogun. A police source quoted in multiple reports said the exact circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, but confirmed that the injury occurred at the location where he and his crew were working. He was first rushed to Blooming Care Hospital in the Alakuko area of Lagos, where he received initial treatment, before being transferred to Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja for further care. Hospital staff subsequently notified the Lagos State Police Command that a gunshot victim had been brought in. Confirming the […]