Navy: Our operation boosts crude oil production, curb oil theft

The Nigerian Navy has said that its Operation Delta Sanity, relaunced in January 2024 to curb crude oil theft has led to an increase in Nigeria’s oil production and exports.

The chief of Policy and Plans of the Navy Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, disclosed this on Monday at a press Conference to mark the 68th anniversary celebration of the Navy in Abuja.

Akpan stated that nine months after re-launching the operation, it has led to the arrest of various suspects and vessels invo’ved in crude oil theft, leading to a rise in oil production from 1.23millions barrel per day in March to 1.28 barrels per day in April, according to OPEC records.

He listed some of the arrested vessels to include MT KALI, MT SWEET HARBOUR SPIRIT, MT SAISNIL, MV TOKITO, MT VINILLARIS and MT SWEET MIRI, among others.

He said, “Under the current NN leadership, the NN has attained the highest state of operational readiness in the discharge of its constitutional roles. In particular, the fight against crude oil theft has been a huge success under the auspices of OPERATION DELTA SANITY which was re-launched in January 2024.

“In the nine months of its existence, the operation has led to the arrest of various suspects and vessels involved in COT. Some of these vessels include MT KALI, MT SWEET HARBOUR SPIRIT, MT SAISNIL, MV TOKITO, MT VINILLARIS and MT SWEET MIRI, among others.

“This has impacted positively on Nigeria’s crude oil production. For instance, OPEC Records for the month of April 2024 state that Nigeria’s Crude Oil Exports rose to #1.28m bpd in April from #1.23m bpd in March. This is in line with the President’s directive to eradicate COT in order to ramp up Nigeria’s oil production and export.”

Akpan said the Navy in line with its total spectrum Maritime Strategy has continued to support land operations in all the geopolitical zones, providing situation awareness across Nigeria’s maritime domain through its Maritime Domain Awareness Facilities which enabled early detection and swift response to incidences within the maritime environment.

According to him, this has ensured Nigeria maintained its zero piracy status in the International Maritime Bureau piracy rating.

In terms of fleet renewal, Akpan said the Navy had taken delivery of various platforms such as offshore survey vessel, two 32metre FPBs, and two helicopters adding that two 76metre OPVs were also expected from Turkey later in the year.

In the area of infrastructure, he said the Navy has established a composite operations Base in Enugu State to curtail insecurity in the South East region.

“Additionally, the Naval Training Command was relocated to Eleme in Rivers State. In its place, the NN has established the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria. The Institute will serve as a strategic maritime think-tank for Nigeria thereby contributing effectively to global maritime discourse to shape the future of sea power and its application, ” he said.

Speaking on the activities lined up for the 68th anniversary celebrations scheduled to hold from Friday, 24 May –
Saturday, 1 June 2024 in Lagos, Akpan said a special juma’at prayers will be held on Friday and Interdenominational Church Service on Sunday.

He added that Medical Rhapsodies and Naval Officers’ Wives Association activities (NOWA) will be held simultaneously on Monday, 27 May in some NN host communities across commands.

“The highpoint of this year’s celebration will be the flag-off of the Regional Maritime Exercise and the International Maritime Conference by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will be the Special Guest of Honour.

“The REMEX is an international maritime sea exercise involving navies from Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America. The NN will contribute 18 platforms comprising capital ships, boats and helicopters, ” he said.

He listed some of the foreign naval ships participating in the Maritime exercise to include Brazilian Navy Ship APA, Cameroonian Navy Ship DIPIKAR, Peoples Liberation Army Navy Ship XU CHANG, French Navy Ship OSV COMMANDANT BIROT, Ghana Navy Ship CHEMLE, United States Ship HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS.

“The Conference will host delegations from about 21 African countries, 17 non-African countries and 13 International/regional organisations. Notably, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the French Atlantic Fleet, the Deputy Commander of the Chinese Navy and high- powered delegations from the United Kingdom, United States as well as some African and European Union countries will be in attendance.

“During the occasion, the President and C-in -C will also commission 3 newly acquired ships and 2 helicopters as well as declare open the International Maritime Exhibition in which international and local maritime security related companies will show case their products and services.

“On the side line, the Meeting of Gulf of Guinea Heads of Navies and Coast Guards will take place on 31 May 24. The series of activities marking the Navy Week Celebration will be rounded off on 1 Jun 2024 with the commissioning of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) and the Ceremonial Sunset/ Reunion Dinner at NNS QUORRA Apapa and Naval Dockyard Limited Victoria Island respectively, ” he said.