Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has commenced the export of a new crude oil grade known as Cawthorne, marking a strategic step aimed at boosting Nigeria’s oil production and strengthening its position in the global energy market.
The national oil company announced on Tuesday that the maiden cargo of the new blend has been successfully shipped to Europe. Industry observers describe the development as part of a renewed effort to diversify Nigeria’s crude export streams and enhance revenue generation.
In a statement, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the company, Andy Odeh, said the first cargo of the Cawthorne blend was lifted on April 5, 2026, aboard the vessel MT Eburones, which is currently en route to the Netherlands.
According to the company, the export marks a significant milestone in its strategy to expand Nigeria’s portfolio of globally competitive crude oil grades.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced export of its new crude grade, Cawthorne, marking a significant milestone in the company’s drive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and expand its portfolio of globally competitive export streams,” the statement said.
The Cawthorne blend has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it firmly within the light, sweet crude category, which is highly valued in international markets for its high yield of refined products such as petrol and diesel.
This places it in the same category as Bonny Light crude oil, one of Nigeria’s flagship export blends widely sought after by international refiners.
The maiden cargo, estimated at 950,000 barrels, was exported through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel located offshore Bonny in Bonny.
Odeh explained that the facility improves crude evacuation from OML 18 and enhances Nigeria’s export reliability and operational efficiency.
“The cargo was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading vessel, which is strategically located offshore Bonny. The facility enhances crude evacuation from OML 18 and strengthens Nigeria’s export reliability, operational efficiency, and overall energy security,” he said.
The development comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to ramp up oil production and achieve its long-term national energy targets, including three million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
According to the company, the new crude grade forms part of a broader strategy to unlock value from its assets and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international oil market.
The addition of Cawthorne also builds on recent new export grades such as Nembe crude oil and Utapate crude oil, reflecting a deliberate effort to optimise production and diversify Nigeria’s crude offerings.
Commenting on the milestone, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the export aligns with the company’s focus on commercial efficiency and value creation.
“This milestone reflects the direction we have set for NNPC Limited, one 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,” Ojulari said.
He added that the successful export of the Cawthorne blend forms part of a broader strategy to expand production and strengthen Nigeria’s role as a reliable global energy supplier.
Nigeria has in recent years faced declining crude production due to challenges including oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and underinvestment in upstream operations. To address these issues, the government and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have introduced reforms and partnerships aimed at improving efficiency across the oil and gas value chain.
Industry analysts say expanding Nigeria’s crude slate could help the country remain competitive as global energy markets evolve and demand grows for cleaner, high-quality crude blends.
