The Federal Government has lauded the launch of Nigeria’s first Gravimetric Flow Metering Calibration Facility in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, describing it as a major step in boosting revenue transparency and curbing crude oil losses in the country’s petroleum sector.
The facility, developed by indigenous firm Engineering Automation Technology Limited (EATL), was commissioned under the regulatory supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
At the commissioning ceremony, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, represented by the Deputy Director for Development, Mr Manuel Ibituroko, described the project as “a transformative leap forward” for Nigeria’s oil industry.
She praised EATL for its vision, courage, and patriotic investment in advanced metering infrastructure, noting that accurate measurement of crude oil is critical to ensuring proper royalty calculations, regulatory compliance, and overall revenue assurance.
The state-of-the-art facility, the first in West Africa, addresses a persistent challenge in the upstream sector, which includes inaccurate crude oil measurement.
Before its establishment, operators depended heavily on foreign laboratories for calibration services, thereby incurring high shipping costs, delays, and foreign-exchange outflows.
With the new facility now operational, these services are domiciled in Nigeria, retaining technical and economic value within the domestic economy.
Speaking on behalf of EATL, Managing Director Dr Emmanuel Okon explained that the gravimetric plant incorporates internationally traceable standards, automated data capture systems, documented uncertainty budgets, and zero-touch processes to reduce human error.
He said the facility can calibrate turbine, ultrasonic, Coriolis, electromagnetic, and positive displacement meters, which are instruments crucial for measuring crude flows across pipelines and export terminals.
Dr Okok emphasised that this innovation will enhance reserves management, optimise royalty calculations, and support compliance with national regulations.
The project was executed under NUPRC oversight with support from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and other stakeholders to ensure that all certifications meet statutory requirements.
Industry observers predict that the facility will not only improve transparency in royalties and taxes but also strengthen investor confidence, deter crude oil theft, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for petroleum metering excellence.