ExxonMobil has affirmed its long-term commitment to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector with a planned investment of 1.5 billion dollars in deepwater exploration and development. This significant financial commitment, which will be implemented between Q2, 2025 – 2027 focuses on revitalizing production in the Usan deepwater oil field. The company proposed FID in late Q3 2025 subject to final Field Development Plan approval as well as internal and partner funding approvals.
This is in addition to investment targeted at the accelerated development of the Owowo, Erha deepwater oil fields, amongst others.
This was announced during a courtesy visit by Mr. Shane Harris, ExxonMobil’s Managing Director in Nigeria, to the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
According to Mr. Harris the planned capital deployment reflects ExxonMobil’s confidence in Nigeria’s upstream potential and its dedication to playing a pivotal role in the sector’s growth.
This move counters speculation about ExxonMobil’s potential withdrawal from Nigeria, instead underscoring a strategic expansion and strengthening of its operational footprint in the country. Mr. Harris also voiced ExxonMobil’s support for the NUPRC’s 'Project 1 Million Barrels' initiative, which aims to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.4 million barrels per day in the medium term.
On his part, the CCE of NUPRC Engr. Gbenga Komolafe welcomed the announcement, reaffirming the NUPRC’s role as a business enabler and pledging regulatory support to facilitate ExxonMobil’s operations. He highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between regulators and investors to meet Nigeria’s production and energy security goals.
Discussions during the visit also addressed compliance with the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation and the need for transparent pricing and accountability in the sector. “The Commission is committed to the implementation of Section 109 of the PIA which addresses the subject of willing buyer, willing seller and we urge producers to comply with the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation” he said.
In his role as the new Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Mr. Harris expressed his intent to foster stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders and the NUPRC.
Source: Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
