Crude oil oil field in Niger. ~20 kb/d before the export pipeline; ~69 kb/d average exports May 2024–May 2026 (50.3 Mbbl) plus ~20 kb/d to Soraz (derived); capacity 110 kb/d
Origin: Niger
Region: Diffa
Site data
- Commodity: Crude oil
- Tier: Tier 1 (03 Resources Map tier rule)
- Status: Producing: Producing and exporting, with repeated interruptions
- Operator / ownership: CNPC (China) operator; Niger state via SONIDEP; export through WAPCO (CNPC subsidiary, 15% Niger)
- Production: ~20 kb/d before the export pipeline; ~69 kb/d average exports May 2024–May 2026 (50.3 Mbbl) plus ~20 kb/d to Soraz (derived); capacity 110 kb/d
- Coordinates: 15.3000, 13.3300 (Koulélé CPF: OSM pipeline start 15.34,13.28 + Nominatim Koulélé 15.28,13.40; USGS field point 15.94,12.89)
Security context
- Feb 2025: two CNPC employees were kidnapped and two gendarmes killed in an ambush near the field (ISSP suspected, no claim). Jul 2024: CNPC suspended construction for security reasons.
- Rebel sabotage campaign: the FPL (Jun–Jul 2024) and its offshoot MPLJ (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026, including a 10 Feb 2026 attack the army says it repelled) target the oil sector to cut the junta’s revenue; see Niger oil pipeline attacks (2024-26). The FPL sits in the CFLN coalition noted under FAN (Niger).
- Mar 2025: Niger expelled the local heads of CNPC, WAPCO and Soraz. Copernicus measured a methane leak of >40 t/h at Agadem.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Niger–Benin Oil Pipeline: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger%E2%80%93Benin_Oil_Pipeline
- China Global South, CNPC staff kidnapped, 5 Feb 2025: https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/02/05/two-chinese-oil-workers-kidnapped-in-niger/
- Vanguard/AFP, MPLJ attack repelled, 11 Feb 2026: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/niger-army-says-repelled-rebel-attack-on-oil-pipeline/
- Map and tier rule: 03 Resources Map
Relationships
- Kidnapping near field (Feb 2025, suspected): ISSP
- Protected by: FAN (Niger)
- Chinese interests (PSC context): Chinese private security companies
- Exports through: Niger–Benin export pipeline
Referenced by
- Niger oil pipeline attacks (2024-26) (Target)
Media
Zoom D: Agadem block and the Niger–Benin export pipeline (Niger leg).