The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it has commenced export of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, as part of efforts to boost production and expand Nigeria’s footprint in the global market.
In a statement on Tuesday by Andy Odeh, NNPC chief corporate
communications officer, the company said the maiden cargo of the Cawthorne
blend was shipped on April 5 aboard the MT Eburones vessel to the Netherlands.
The company announced the new crude grade in February.
NNPC said the 950,000-barrel cargo was loaded via the
Cawthorne floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel located offshore Bonny,
Rivers state, adding that the facility is expected to improve evacuation from
oil mining lease (OML) 18 and strengthen export efficiency.
“Cawthorne blend crude, the latest addition to Nigeria’s
basket of crude grades, has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it firmly within
the light, sweet category, comparable to Bonny Light, and highly valued in the
global market for its superior petrol and diesel yields,” the statement reads.
“NNPC Ltd confirms that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the
Cawthorne blend crude, which was loaded on the MT Eburones vessel, is headed to
the Netherlands and onward to the global market.”
The company said the introduction of the new grade aligns
with its strategy to optimise production, diversify export streams, and improve
competitiveness in the international oil market.
NNPC added that the development supports the federal
government’s target of ramping up crude oil production to three million barrels
per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
The firm said the launch of Cawthorne builds on recent
additions such as Nembe and Utapate crude grades, reflecting a “structured
approach” to expanding Nigeria’s crude oil portfolio.
Commenting on the development, Bayo Ojulari, group chief
executive officer of NNPC, attributed the milestone to policy reforms under
President Bola Tinubu and collaboration with industry stakeholders, including
the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
He said the export marks a shift towards value-driven
operations.
“This milestone reflects the direction we have set for NNPC
Limited, one anchored on execution, partnership, and value creation,” he said.
Ojulari also said that the company remains focused on
translating resource potential into commercial value, while strengthening
Nigeria’s position as a reliable global energy supplier.
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