In a historic moment for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the new Otakikpo crude oil terminal, the country’s first indigenous onshore crude export facility in over five decades built by Green Energy International Ltd “GEIL” operator of Otakikpo field concluded the first export on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

The first cargo from the terminal was lifted by off-taker vessel MV by Shell by 14.hrs, a proof of the successful construction and operational readiness of the terminal.

Congratulating all the parties, involved in the technical test run of the facility, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe appreciated God for making the operations successful and the resilience of the entire indigenous staff of the company who pulled through the complex endeavors.

He also expressed the gratitude of the company to all the regulatory agencies who supported and supervised the epoch event.

This was contained in a statement, the GEIL management issued to The Nation on Sunday.

The newly constructed terminal boasts an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, with potential expansion to 3 million barrels.

It also features a 360,000 barrels per day pumping capacity for loading export tankers, making it one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Adegbulugbe said the project, completed ahead of schedule in under two years, has already made history as the first privately developed crude oil terminal by an African operator.

With an initial investment exceeding $400 million and a full-phase development projection of $1.3 billion, GEIL’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s oil export infrastructure is evident.

The Otakikpo terminal Is designed to accommodate up to 250,000 barrels per day of crude injection, while the Otakikpo field currently produces around 10,000 barrels per day.

This opens strategic opportunities for third-party producers, particularly over 40 nearby stranded fields estimated to hold more than 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). GEIL’s infrastructure provides cost-effective evacuation for stranded oil, positioning Nigeria for increased production and export growth.

Energy analysts have hailed the Otakikpo terminal as a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil sector, citing its potential to significantly boost output while reducing dependence on offshore export terminals.

With rising global demand for African crude, the terminal is poised to attract more investors and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the international energy arena.

As Nigeria continues to modernize its oil infrastructure, the successful completion of GEIL’s Otakikpo crude oil terminal underscores the country’s capacity for innovative energy solutions, fostering sustainable growth for years to come. (The Nation)