Nigeria's Oil Rig Count Jumps 20% Amid Higher Crude Production

Nigeria's oil rig count has increased by 20% in the first seven months of this year, rising from 15 rigs in January to 18 rigs in July, according to data from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The increase points to stronger drilling activity in Nigeria's upstream oil sector, as operators step up activities aimed at sustaining and increasing crude oil production.

Nigeria averaged 13 active rigs in 2025, compared with 15 in 2024 and 14 in 2023. The increase in drilling activity coincided with higher crude production during the first half of the year.

Nigeria's crude production averaged about 1.45 million barrels per day in the first quarter of this year before rising to about 1.55 million barrels per day in the second quarter, representing an increase of about 6.8%.