Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) has successfully completed the first-ever crude oil export from its newly built Otakikpo onshore terminal, marking a groundbreaking achievement in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The milestone event took place around 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, when a Shell-chartered off-taker vessel lifted the maiden crude cargo from the Otakikpo marginal field terminal in Rivers State. This terminal stands as Nigeria’s first privately constructed and operated onshore crude export facility in more than fifty years.
In a statement released on Sunday, GEIL Chairman Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe hailed the accomplishment as a historic feat. He credited the success to divine grace, the unwavering commitment of the company’s staff, and the strong backing of regulatory bodies.
“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,” Adegbulugbe said.
The terminal boasts an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, with plans to expand to three million barrels. It also features a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, enabling efficient loading of export tankers.
Completed in under two years, the Otakikpo terminal is the first crude export facility developed by an African private operator. GEIL has invested over $400 million in this initial phase, with total development costs projected to exceed $1.3 billion.
Designed to handle up to 250,000 barrels per day of crude injection, the Otakikpo field currently produces about 10,000 barrels daily. Importantly, the terminal offers strategic evacuation capabilities for over 40 nearby stranded oil fields, estimated to hold more than three billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Energy experts predict that the new terminal will boost Nigeria’s crude output, reduce dependence on offshore terminals, and attract new investments into the country’s oil industry.
With growing global demand for African crude, the Otakikpo terminal is set to reinforce Nigeria’s position on the international energy stage.
GEIL emphasized that the terminal will be crucial in improving oil evacuation logistics and supporting sustained production growth, aligning with Nigeria’s long-term energy development goals.
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