The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has successfully exported a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, marking a significant step in expanding Nigeria’s production capacity and presence in the global energy market.
In a statement, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, described the development as a milestone in the company’s strategy to grow its portfolio of exportable crude grades.
The Cawthorne blend, with an API gravity of 36.4, is classified as a light, sweet crude, similar to the renowned Bonny Light, making it highly attractive in international markets for its superior petrol and diesel yields.
NNPC revealed that the maiden cargo of 950,000 barrels was shipped on April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones vessel bound for the Netherlands and onward to global buyers. The export was conducted via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel located offshore Bonny, Rivers State, enhancing crude evacuation from OML 18 while improving operational efficiency and energy security.
The company emphasized that the Cawthorne crude aligns with broader efforts to unlock value from Nigeria’s oil assets and support the Presidential target of increasing crude production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030. The new grade follows recent additions like Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a structured approach to optimising production and expanding Nigeria’s crude offerings.
NNPC Group CEO Bashir Bayo Ojulari praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms in the oil and gas sector, highlighting strong collaboration with OML 18 partners, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and other stakeholders in delivering the project.
Ojulari added, “This milestone reflects our commitment to execution, partnership, and value creation. We are moving from resource potential to resource monetisation, ensuring every asset delivers measurable commercial outcomes.”
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