Firm completes first crude export from Otakikpo onshore terminal

Green Energy International Limited has concluded the first crude oil export from its newly constructed Otakikpo onshore terminal, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The company said the export was completed at about 2pm on Sunday, June 8, when an off-taker vessel chartered by Shell lifted the maiden crude cargo from the terminal, located in the Otakikpo marginal field, Rivers State.

The terminal is Nigeria’s first privately built and operated onshore crude export facility in over five decades.

Chairman of GEIL, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the development as a historic feat, crediting the success to divine grace, the resilience of the company’s staff, and the support of regulatory agencies.

We appreciate the efforts of all our partners and the dedication of our indigenous technical team who worked tirelessly to deliver this project. This is a proud moment for Nigeria and for African-owned energy ventures,” he said.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the terminal has an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, with potential expansion to three million barrels. It also features a 360,000 barrels-per-day pumping capacity for loading export tankers.

According to Adegbulugbe, the project was completed in under two years and stands as the first crude terminal developed by an African private operator.

He said GEIL had invested over $400m in the initial phase of the project, with full development expected to exceed $1.3bn.

The 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.

The company said the facility also provides strategic evacuation options for over 40 nearby stranded oil fields estimated to hold more than three billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Energy analysts say the terminal could help boost Nigeria’s crude output, reduce reliance on offshore terminals, and attract fresh investments into the country’s oil sector.

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.

GEIL said the Otakikpo terminal would play a key role in improving oil evacuation and supporting production growth in line with Nigeria’s long-term energy goals.