By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced the export of its newly introduced crude grade, Cawthorne, in a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s oil production and expanding its range of globally competitive export streams.
The company confirmed that the maiden cargo of 950,000 barrels was loaded on April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones vessel and shipped to Netherlands, marking the crude’s debut in the international market.
Cawthorne blend, with an API gravity of 36.4, falls within the light, sweet category, making it comparable to Bonny Light crude and highly sought after for its high petrol and diesel yields.
The cargo was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel, located offshore Bonny in Rivers State. The facility is expected to enhance crude evacuation from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18, while improving export reliability, operational efficiency, and energy security.
The introduction of the new crude grade aligns with NNPC Ltd’s strategy to optimise asset value, deepen market competitiveness, and support the Federal Government’s target of increasing crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
Cawthorne joins other recently introduced crude grades such as Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a sustained effort to expand Nigeria’s export offerings and strengthen its position in the global oil market.
Commenting on the development, NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the collaboration of industry stakeholders, including the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Ojulari said the milestone reflects the company’s focus on execution, partnerships, and value creation, adding that NNPC Ltd remains committed to transforming resource potential into measurable commercial outcomes.
He noted that the successful export is part of a broader strategy to scale production, enhance market relevance, and reinforce Nigeria’s role as a reliable global energy supplier.
NNPC Ltd reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational discipline to unlock the full value of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources while supporting long-term energy security and economic growth.
