The Nigerian Navy will begin the second part of Operation Delta Sanity (OPDS II), because the Nigerian authorities plans to accentuate its struggle on crude oil theft subsequent 12 months.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Sources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, launched the OPDS II in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, as reported by the Information Company of Nigeria.
Lokpobiri mentioned the collaboration between the Federal Authorities and the Nigerian Navy will assist Nigeria obtain its goal of manufacturing 3 million barrels per day of crude oil by the top of 2025.
The Minister famous that the primary part of OPDS, launched on Jan. 10, contributed to the increase in oil manufacturing figures, directing the Nigerian Navy to proceed with the second part.
“In August 2023, Nigeria’s every day crude oil manufacturing was barely 1,000,000 bpd. Presently, the nation produces about 1.8 million bpd.
Our goal is to achieve 3 million bpd by 2025, and we’re assured that the second part of OPDS will play a key function in reaching this milestone,” Lokpobiri mentioned.
He emphasised that the function of the Nigerian Navy in guaranteeing safety can’t be underestimated. He added that his ministry would proceed to collaborate with different safety businesses to fight oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Lokpobiri expressed concern in regards to the persistent sabotage of the Trans Niger Pipeline, a significant pipeline that transports about 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
He mentioned the pipeline is persistently attacked by vandals who break into it to steal oil. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that the Navy will make sure the safety of the pipeline in part 2 of OPDS.
“The Trans Niger Pipeline stays a significant problem, with criminals breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil. Nonetheless, the Nigerian Navy has pledged to accentuate its efforts to guard these nationwide belongings, constructing on its successes in 2024,” he remarked.
The Naval Chief nonetheless famous that the Navy wants improved intelligence infrastructure and weapons to attain higher outcomes.
“Rejigging the operation entails deploying newly acquired maritime area consciousness infrastructure, assault helicopters, armed drones, and enhanced intelligence-gathering techniques.
“We’re additionally incorporating non-kinetic approaches and strengthening collaboration with related stakeholders to maintain and improve crude oil manufacturing past 2 million bpd, as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
