By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commenced the export of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, marking a significant milestone in its drive to boost Nigeria’s oil production and expand its portfolio of globally competitive export streams.
The company confirmed that the maiden cargo of the Cawthorne blend was successfully exported on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
The 950,000-barrel shipment was loaded onto a vessel bound for the Netherlands, signaling the entry of the new crude grade into the international market.
Export operations were conducted via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel, strategically located offshore Bonny in Rivers State.
The facility is expected to enhance crude evacuation from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and strengthen Nigeria’s export reliability and operational efficiency.
NNPC said the Cawthorne blend, with an API gravity of 36.4, falls within the light, sweet crude category, comparable to Nigeria’s popular Bonny Light grade.
The new blend is expected to attract strong demand in the global market due to its superior petrol and diesel yields.
The introduction of the Cawthorne crude follows recent additions such as the Nembe and Utapate grades, reflecting what the company described as a sustained and structured approach to optimizing production and deepening market competitiveness.
Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the milestone underscores the company’s commitment to unlocking value from Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
He commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his policy direction and ongoing reforms in the energy sector, as well as the collaboration of stakeholders, including the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and OML 18 partners.
Ojulari noted that the achievement aligns with national targets to ramp up crude oil production to three million barrels per day and increase gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
“This milestone reflects the direction we have set for NNPC Limited—anchored on execution, partnership, and value creation.
We are moving decisively from resource potential to resource monetisation, ensuring that every asset delivers measurable commercial outcomes,” he said.
Read also:NAFDAC unveils plan to slash salt levels in foods, targets 30% reduction by 2030
He added that the company remains focused on leveraging innovation, strengthening operational discipline, and deepening strategic partnerships to ensure sustainable growth, energy security, and long-term economic development.
NNPC Ltd emphasized that the successful export of the Cawthorne crude is part of a broader strategy to grow production, expand market offerings, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a reliable global energy supplier.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to delivering sustainable value while supporting national economic objectives and meeting global market expectations.
