NNPC Rolls Out Cawthorne Crude, Ships 950,000-Barrel First Cargo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced export operations for its newly introduced crude grade, Cawthorne, marking a fresh milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to deepen its crude oil portfolio and strengthen its global market presence.

The company confirmed that the first cargo, estimated at 950,000 barrels, has been successfully shipped, signaling the official entry of the new blend into the international oil market.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the cargo was loaded onto the MT Eburones vessel and is destined for the Netherlands, with broader access to global buyers anticipated.

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The export was executed through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) facility located offshore in Bonny, Rivers State, highlighting the strategic infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s offshore crude operations.

NNPC described the introduction of the Cawthorne blend as a significant addition to Nigeria’s basket of crude grades, particularly due to its quality and market appeal.

“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 company further emphasized the successful execution of the maiden shipment:

“The Cawthorne blend crude was loaded on an MT Eburones vessel, headed to The Netherlands and the global market.”

“The maiden 950,000 barrels cargo was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel,” the statement noted.

The development aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to increase crude production levels and improve export efficiency, particularly after years of disruptions caused by pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and operational setbacks in producing regions.

The introduction of Cawthorne also follows the rollout of other new crude streams such as Obodo and Utapate in recent years, reflecting a deliberate strategy to diversify Nigeria’s oil offerings and strengthen its standing within the global energy market.

Industry observers note that the quality of the Cawthorne blend—classified as light and sweet—positions it favorably among international refiners due to its high yield of premium petroleum products such as petrol and diesel.

Beyond its market appeal, the new crude grade is expected to contribute to national production targets. The Federal Government has set an ambitious goal of ramping up crude oil output to three million barrels per day and increasing gas production to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended the policy direction of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders in achieving the milestone.

He noted that partnerships involving OML 18 operators and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission played a crucial role in bringing the project to fruition.

Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to leveraging innovation, strategic alliances, and operational discipline to maximise the value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.

He added that the company remains focused on ensuring long-term energy security while supporting broader economic growth objectives.

With the successful launch of Cawthorne crude exports, Nigeria takes another step toward reinforcing its relevance in the evolving global oil market.