The Nigerian Navy has pledged full support for the Federal Government’s plan to achieve 2.5 million barrels per day of crude oil production by 2027, committing to intensified efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta and offshore.

The assurance was given by the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, during the launch of Operation Delta Sentinel at the Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder Jetty in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Ibrahim, who also commands Task Group 26.1, explained that the new operation is a transformation of the previous Operation Delta Sanity, aimed at strengthening maritime security for a one-year period, renewable every 90 days.

“The transformation from Operation Delta Sanity is necessitated by the Federal Government’s drive to increase oil exploration and production,” Ibrahim said. “We anticipate production will reach about 2.5 million bpd by 2027. Operation Delta Sentinel will infuse more vigour into preventing crude oil theft and supporting offshore development in line with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s ‘Project 1m bpd initiative.’”

Ibrahim stressed that the success of Operation Delta Sentinel will be measured not only by arrests or seizures but by sustained increases in crude oil production, enhanced maritime security, and the effective protection of Nigeria’s critical offshore assets.

(Punch)