NNPCL Cawthorne crude export marks a milestone as Nigeria ships a new crude grade to global markets, boosting production capacity and competitiveness

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has recorded a significant breakthrough with the successful export of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne crude, in a development aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.

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NNPCL Cawthorne crude export represents a strategic milestone in the company’s efforts to expand its portfolio of exportable crude streams and enhance production capacity across its upstream operations.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the Cawthorne blend has now been added to Nigeria’s basket of crude grades.

The company noted that the new grade has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it within the light, sweet crude category similar to Bonny Light, making it highly desirable in international markets due to its refined fuel yield potential.

Maiden shipment involved 950,000 barrels of crude, which was lifted on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The cargo was loaded onto the MT Eburones vessel and is en route to the Netherlands before proceeding to broader global destinations.

NNPCL explained that the export was carried out via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading vessel located offshore Bonny in Rivers State.

infrastructure is designed to improve crude evacuation from OML 18 while enhancing export reliability, operational efficiency and overall energy security.

The company further stated that the introduction of the Cawthorne crude aligns with its broader strategic objectives, including unlocking value from existing assets and improving competitiveness in the international oil market.

It also supports national production targets aimed at scaling crude output to three million barrels per day and gas production to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

The addition of Cawthorne follows recent crude blends such as Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a deliberate effort to diversify Nigeria’s crude offerings and optimise upstream production.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the development as a reflection of ongoing reforms in the oil and gas sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He credited the achievement to collaboration among OML 18 partners, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders.

Ojulari emphasised the company’s commitment to execution, partnerships and value creation, noting that NNPCL is focused on translating resource potential into measurable commercial outcomes through improved operational discipline and innovation.

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The successful export is seen as a positive signal for Nigeria’s energy sector, reinforcing investor confidence while expanding the country’s footprint in global crude oil trade.