Nigeria reduced its oil production output by 50,000 barrels per day to maintain an average of 1.5 million barrels per day, in line with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota in March.
A report by Bloomberg said the cartel urged tightened quotas among its members, reducing overall production by 110,000 barrels per day in March.
The report notes that the cut in Nigeria’s production followed delays in loading Bonny Light crude due to the recent explosion at the Trans-Niger Pipeline.
The pipeline, which is a critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s crude exports, has frequently faced operational disruptions, affecting the country’s ability to meet production targets.
Bloomberg reported that Iraq followed with the second-largest reduction after Nigeria, cutting output by 40,000 barrels per day to 4.15 million barrels.
Iraq still maintained above its agreed limit of 4 million barrels per day despite the cut.
Conversely, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased production by 30,000 barrels per day, further exceeding its quota.
Meanwhile, OPEC+—led by Saudi Arabia and Russia has expressed readiness to gradually restore production and increase supplies to stabilize global oil prices.
The group is expected to add roughly 138,000 barrels per day this month as part of a phased increase running through late 2026.
The decision of the cartel to ease production cuts follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s request to Saudi Arabia to “cut the price of oil” by increasing production. It is uncertain whether this was what informed the decision or not.
Bloomberg’s survey is based on ship-tracking data, information from officials, and estimates from consultants Rapidan Energy Group, FGE, and Rystad Energy.
The cuts highlight OPEC’s ongoing struggle to enforce compliance among its members, with some countries persistently exceeding their quotas despite repeated calls for discipline.
