- Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place.
Nigeria Oil Production was 1.54 Million Barrels Daily in 2023, up 6.6% on 2022. The Oil Production dataset of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's oil production landscape, highlighting output trends, production levels, supply changes, industry performance, and annual market developments over the observed period.
Nigeria Oil Production moved from 2.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 to 1.54 Million Barrels Daily in 2023 (−30%), an average of −4.4% a year. The series high was 2.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 1.45 Million Barrels Daily in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 0.754 Million Barrels Daily. The sharpest single-year move was −13.9% in 2022.
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, Nigeria ranks 12 for 2023, behind U.S. (19.36 Million Barrels Daily) and Saudi Arabia (11.39 Million Barrels Daily). It accounts for 1.6% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Barrels Daily.
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| Year | Million Barrels Daily | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1.54 | +6.6% |
| 2022 Trough | 1.45 | −13.9% |
| 2021 | 1.68 | −11.4% |
| 2020 | 1.89 | −9.5% |
| 2019 | 2.09 | +4.6% |
| 2018 | 2.00 | +1.7% |
| 2017 | 1.97 | +3.6% |
| 2016 | 1.90 | −13.7% |
| 2015Peak | 2.20 | — |
Regional context
Oil Production by country, 2023, Million Barrels Daily. Nigeria is highlighted.
Data definition
Oil Production — - Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
The data includes crude oil extracted from both onshore and offshore oil fields, covering production from conventional wells as well as unconventional sources such as tight oil and shale oil where applicable. It includes all crude oil produced at the wellhead before refining, processing, or blending. The indicator may also include lease condensate when reported as part of crude oil production in national energy statistics. Data is compiled from national energy agencies, oil companies, and standardized international energy databases, ensuring consistency in comparing production levels across countries and over time.
The data excludes refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, LPG, and other products derived from crude oil after refining. It does not include natural gas production, natural gas liquids (except where classified as condensate under crude oil reporting), biofuels, synthetic crude from coal-to-liquids or gas-to-liquids processes, or refinery gains. The indicator does not measure oil consumption, reserves, imports, exports, or refining capacity. Minor variations may arise due to differences in national reporting standards, classification of condensates, and estimation methodologies used across countries.
Oil Production — - Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
Measured in million barrels daily, the dataset reflects total oil production and serves as an important indicator of upstream activity, domestic energy supply, investment trends, resource development, and the overall performance of Nigeria's petroleum sector. The dataset supports assessment of production volatility, operational challenges, and the country’s role as Africa’s largest crude oil producer.
Nigeria produced 2.20 million barrels daily in 2015 before declining to 1.90 million in 2016. Production recovered to 1.97 million barrels daily in 2017 and 2.00 million in 2018 before rising to 2.09 million in 2019. Output then fell to 1.89 million barrels daily in 2020, followed by a sharper decline to 1.68 million in 2021 and 1.45 million in 2022. Production slightly improved to 1.54 million barrels daily in 2023, reflecting partial recovery driven by operational improvements and stabilization efforts. The fluctuations are influenced by pipeline disruptions, security challenges in oil-producing regions, maintenance issues, and varying levels of upstream investment.
Overall, the dataset illustrates a highly volatile production pattern with no sustained long-term growth trend. Despite being a major oil producer, Nigeria’s output is constrained by operational inefficiencies and external disruptions, which significantly impact production consistency and export performance.
The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring national oil production performance, evaluating supply trends, assessing upstream investment, supporting market analysis, forecasting future production, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop effective energy strategies and production planning.
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Definition- Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
Nigeria Oil Production was 1.54 Million Barrels Daily in 2023, up 6.6% on 2022.
Nigeria Oil Production moved from 2.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 to 1.54 Million Barrels Daily in 2023 (−30%), an average of −4.4% a year. The series high was 2.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 1.45 Million Barrels Daily in 2022.
The highest value was 2.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the lowest was 1.45 Million Barrels Daily in 2022.
Included: The data includes crude oil extracted from both onshore and offshore oil fields, covering production from conventional wells as well as unconventional sources such as tight oil and shale oil where applicable. It includes all crude oil produced at the wellhead before refining, processing, or blending. The indicator may also include lease condensate when reported as part of crude oil production in national energy statistics. Data is compiled from national energy agencies, oil companies, and standardized international energy databases, ensuring consistency in comparing production levels across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, LPG, and other products derived from crude oil after refining. It does not include natural gas production, natural gas liquids (except where classified as condensate under crude oil reporting), biofuels, synthetic crude from coal-to-liquids or gas-to-liquids processes, or refinery gains. The indicator does not measure oil consumption, reserves, imports, exports, or refining capacity. Minor variations may arise due to differences in national reporting standards, classification of condensates, and estimation methodologies used across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Barrels Daily.
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