(Ecofin Agency) - Loading plans for August have showed that Nigeria will export 2.02 million barrels of oil per day (bopd), the highest volume exported since March 2016. This is as the country’s oil industry is getting close to recovering fully from militant attacks which weakened production in 2016.

According to the preliminary loading plans which was compiled by Reuters, 1.84 million bpd was initially planned for July but due to loading delays on Bonga, Bonny Light and Qua Iboe, several of the cargoes were shifted to August.

Although 2016 exports were fixed at 2 million bpd, the Africa’s second largest oil producer’s output has not reached that level since October 2015. This was due to thefts from oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region which led to regular shutdowns limiting output. Also, militant attacks all through last year, negatively impacted the oil industry.

Anita Fatunji