ExxonMobil declares force majeure at Nigerian export terminals following strikes

ExxonMobil has declared force majeure at multiple oil export terminals in southern Nigeria in response to industrial action, the company's Nigerian Producing unit told S&P Global Commodity Insights April 17.

Strikes have halted crude loadings at four export terminals -- Erha, Qua Iboe, Usan and Yoho, shipping and trading sources said, as industrial action by transport unions gripped Africa's largest oil producer.

"This is due to an industrial action by our in-house workers union," a company spokesperson said, adding that ExxonMobil would take all reasonable action necessary to swiftly resolve the impasse.

"The safety of our people, assets and environment remains our top priority," the spokesperson said.

ExxonMobil exports around 300,000 b/d of crude and condensates from its Qua Iboe terminal in southern Akwa Ibom state, as well as natural gas.

Closure of the company's terminals represents a major blow to Nigeria's bid to boost exports and increase revenue following a calamitous year in 2022 plagued by theft and technical problems.

Confirmation of the force majeure came as strikes by aviation workers over pay and working conditions threatened to shut the country's biggest airport.

"A lot will depend on how quickly the dispute is settled," said a trader of the market implications. "Exxon normally resolves industrial action fairly quickly and a delay of a day or two to cargo loading will not be significant."

If it drags on though, "it will imply a significant tightening of the market," the trader said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, last assessed Qua Iboe crude at $86.10/b on April 14.

ExxonMobil is slimming down its interests in Nigerian onshore and shallow water assets in response to heightened insecurity, sabotage and oil theft in recent years.

Nigeria has the capacity to produce some 2.2 million b/d of crude and condensate but saw production slump to 1.30 million b/d on average in 2022, with key grades like Forcados, Bonny Light and Brass River forced offline for several months.

Production climbed steadily since September but fell back to 1.5 million b/d in March, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.