NUPRC Initiates Crude Swap to Enhance Refinery Supply

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has begun consultations with industry stakeholders regarding a domestic crude oil and gas swap arrangement. This initiative aims to reduce supply costs and ensure increased availability of crude for Nigerian refineries.

NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced this during a visit to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in Abuja. The proposed swap arrangement is designed to enhance compliance with the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation and Domestic Gas Supply Obligation while minimizing the need for long-distance transportation of crude.

The NUPRC is working with stakeholders, including the Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited, to finalize the modalities for the scheme. The arrangement would allow crude producers with export facilities to meet obligations closer to domestic refineries.

NUPRC data indicated that 53.7 million barrels of crude oil were supplied to local refiners from April to June 2026, achieving 97.4% compliance under the DCSO. However, some refiners still depend on imported crude due to high local prices.