Nigeria, Feb. 3 -- The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has warned that it will henceforth deny export permits for crude oil cargoes intended for domestic refining if oil companies do not fulfil their domestic crude obligations.

The NUPRC, in a statement on Monday, noted that any changes to cargoes designated for domestic refining must receive express approval from the commission's chief executive.

In a 2 February letter addressed to exploration and production companies and their equity partners, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, reiterated that diverting crude oil meant for local refineries violates the law.

"At a meeting last weekend, attended by more than 50 critical industry players, both the refi...