ExxonMobil and its partners have committed $1 billion to the Usan Infill Project in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 138, reinforcing confidence in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that the investment is expected to support new drilling activities aimed at increasing crude oil production from the offshore Usan field.
The announcement was made by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) during the 2026 NOG Energy Week conference.
According to the commission, the project is expected to add about 40,000 barrels of oil per day to Nigeria’s output once fully operational. It also marks ExxonMobil’s return to drilling operations in the Usan field for the first time in about a decade.
NUPRC described the investment as a major boost for the country’s oil industry, saying it reflects growing investor confidence in ongoing reforms within the energy sector.
The commission added that the project is expected to create jobs, attract more investment and strengthen Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity.
