Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced that Nigeria will begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade called Cawthorne in March, as part of efforts to increase oil production and consolidate recent output gains.
A spokesperson for NNPC confirmed the development to Reuters, noting that the launch is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s position within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as the country seeks higher production targets amid improved output levels.
The initiative is part of a broader push to lift production, which has been constrained for years by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta. Sources said the first export cargo is expected in the third week of March.
Cawthorne crude has an API gravity of 36.4, making it comparable to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, a grade prized by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel. NNPC issued a tender last week for the new grade for loading between March 24 and 25.
Analysts at energy intelligence firm Kpler said the crude is expected to be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel Cawthorne, which has a storage capacity of approximately 2.2 million barrels. The facility is designed to enhance transportation and production from Oil Mining Lease 18 and surrounding assets in the eastern Niger Delta.
The introduction of Cawthorne could raise Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from roughly 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd) to about 1.7 million bpd for the rest of the year, depending on operational stability and market demand.
Currently, Nigeria’s crude production quota under the OPEC+ framework stands at 1.5 million bpd, with the country producing about 1.48 million bpd in January.
In recent months, Nigeria has stepped up security across oil infrastructure and pipelines, resulting in improved output and reduced losses from theft. Cawthorne is the third new crude grade introduced in recent years, following Utapate in 2024 and Obodo in 2025, as the government and industry stakeholders aim to diversify exports and attract additional buyers.
Experts say new crude streams help Nigeria target different market segments, enhance pricing flexibility, and strengthen resilience in the global oil trade.
Under President Bola Tinubu, the country is pursuing reforms in the oil and gas sector to improve production, attract investment, and increase government revenue.
Nigeria’s oil output had declined in recent years due to operational disruptions and divestments by international oil companies. However, enhanced pipeline security and renewed upstream activity are gradually restoring production levels.
Analysts note that sustained growth in output and the introduction of new crude grades could boost Nigeria’s earnings at a time when global oil prices remain volatile but generally favourable for energy-exporting economies.
