By Reporter
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is
entering one of its most stable periods in more than a decade, driven by
improved security, decisive government action, private-sector innovation and
the deployment of advanced technology across the Niger Delta.
This positive shift came into
sharp focus at the recently concluded 9th African Energy Summit, hosted by Solewant
Group at its Industrial Park in Onne. The gathering revealed what many
operators have quietly observed: Nigeria’s oil pipelines are becoming
significantly safer—and production figures are beginning to reflect the change.
For years, pipeline vandalism,
illegal tapping, makeshift refineries and organised crude theft made the Niger
Delta one of the world’s most challenging oil-producing regions. At its worst,
Nigeria lost more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with national
output at one point plunging to about 600,000 barrels per day.
However, the narrative has
changed markedly in 2024–2025. Crude oil production is now hovering around 1.8
million barrels per day, while government projections under the Medium-Term
Expenditure Framework place output at 2.06 million barrels per day.
Technology Steps In: Solewant’s
Game-Changer
At the heart of this turnaround
is technology—particularly pipeline protection innovations championed by Solewant
Group, Nigeria’s leading pipe-coating and pipeline solutions company.
Addressing participants at the
summit, Solewant Group Managing Director, Mr Solomon Ewanehi, announced the
deployment of the company’s most advanced anti-vandalism pipeline technology to
date.
Commissioned in July 2025, the
system combines enhanced pipe coating, structural reinforcement, 3D-applied
protective layers and embedded detection interfaces—capabilities that were
previously sourced exclusively from Europe and North America.
“We now have the latest
technology protecting these pipelines,” Ewanehi said. “We have struggled for
years, but the technology is finally here.”
Industry stakeholders at the
summit, including regulators, international oil companies (IOCs) and service
providers, welcomed the development. They noted that complex pipe-bending and
3D coating operations—once carried out abroad—are now being executed locally
with greater precision and at lower cost.
Supported by institutions such as
the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), PETAN and OGTAN,
Solewant has delivered more than 100 major projects, including deep-offshore
works. The company is also expanding its footprint across Africa, with new
operations planned for Namibia.
Zero Sabotage: A New Reality
The scale of improvement is
perhaps best illustrated by operators’ testimonies.
During a recent visit to the
headquarters of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Chevron
Nigeria’s Managing Director, Mr Jim Swartz, disclosed that the company had
recorded zero sabotage incidents for an entire year.
“This is the longest we’ve gone
without oil theft,” he said—an unprecedented achievement given Chevron’s
long-standing operations in some of the Delta’s most challenging terrain.
Similar experiences have been
reported by several OPTS member companies and are closely linked to the work of
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). Since 2022, Tantita’s hybrid
approach—combining community intelligence, technology-supported surveillance
and rapid-response teams—has significantly reduced illegal bunkering and
pipeline tapping.
Military Strategy Evolves
The Nigerian military has also
restructured its security approach in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the summit, Brigadier-General
D. Umaru of the Army’s 6th Division confirmed a sustained decline in oil theft.
“Oil theft has definitely gone
down and crude oil production has increased significantly in recent years. We
are moving in the right direction,” he said.
According to the military, the
new strategy focuses on targeted hotspot monitoring, intelligence-led
deployments and the tracking of illicit financial flows that sustain bunkering
networks.
In March, the Office of the
National Security Adviser established a special court for pipeline-related
offences. More than 400 prosecutions have already been recorded, a development
the military says has directly contributed to improved production levels.
Navy Boosts Surveillance
The Nigerian Navy has also
strengthened security along creeks and coastal corridors.
Navy Captain A. Okorie said
surveillance has been transformed by the deployment of the Falcon Eye coastal
monitoring system, which provides visibility up to Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic
Zone, alongside drones used for real-time patrols.
“We are always a step ahead of
the criminals,” he said.
Social Gains in the Delta
Beyond security and technology,
the improvements are yielding social benefits. TSSNL has engaged hundreds of
Niger Delta youths in surveillance and protection roles, reducing unemployment
and addressing long-standing drivers of restiveness.
The Bigger Picture
Taken together, Solewant’s
pipeline technology, improved military coordination, private-sector
surveillance and enhanced naval monitoring are creating a layered security
framework that is finally addressing one of Nigeria’s most persistent
challenges.
For the first time in many years,
the numbers—and the mood—are aligned.
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