Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil, has urged strategic focus on regulatory clarity and human capital development to fully harness Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Conference, EEPNL’s Executive Director, Development, Etabuko Abirhire, emphasized that Nigeria’s ambitious production targets—two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030—require streamlined regulation, policy clarity, and strong partnerships to attract investment.

“Operational efficiency and human capital development are foundational to unlocking the sector’s full potential. Regulators must provide clarity not just at the macro level, but at the execution phase. Achieving our production goals will demand deliberate effort, collaboration, and disciplined execution by all stakeholders,” Abirhire said.

He lauded reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and recent presidential directives for boosting investor confidence, particularly in deepwater projects, while stressing that speed and clarity of implementation remain crucial.

Abirhire highlighted ongoing collaborations with NNPCL and NCDMB, noting that pragmatic local content policies and evolving governance structures will enable large-scale projects. He also showcased ExxonMobil’s integrated efficiency model, leveraging technology and skilled talent to deliver projects faster and at lower cost.

“Technologies like our Discovery 6 Supercomputer have cut seismic processing time from months to weeks, accelerating decision-making and production start-up,” he added.

In response, Olayemi Adeboyejo, Secretary and Legal Adviser at the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to transparency and adaptability:

“Regulation is the architecture of efficiency. The PIA provides a framework for investor confidence, and we remain open to feedback to ensure clarity and competitiveness,” Adeboyejo said.

Esso reiterated its commitment to partnership, innovation, and workforce development as key drivers of Nigeria’s energy future.