Niger to start crude exports by end-2023

The country is on track to more than quintuple its oil production and enter the global export market later this year

The flagship Niger-Benin pipeline project is “very advanced” and c.85–90pc complete, Maman Kailou Pantcho, head of communications at Niger’s energy ministry, tells Petroleum Economist. The export pipeline means the landlocked nation will be able to ramp up its crude production to 110,000bl/d and access global trade via an export terminal on Benin’s coast at Seme. “Once commissioned, the pipeline will allow Niger to put 90,000bl/d on the international market,” explains Kailou. Niger’s current crude production stands at 20,000bl/d and comes from the Agadem block, which is operated by Chinese NOC CNPC. Those volumes are processed in the country’s Zinder refinery, with the products used domestic