The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced the export of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, in a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s crude output and strengthening its footprint in the global oil market.
The national oil company disclosed on Tuesday that the maiden cargo of the new blend was successfully shipped to Europe, signalling what industry observers describe as a renewed push to diversify Nigeria’s crude export streams and improve revenue generation.
In a statement, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, said the first cargo of the Cawthorne blend was lifted on April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones vessel en route to the Netherlands.
The statement read, “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.
“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.
“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.”
Odeh noted that the maiden cargo, estimated at 950,000 barrels, was exported through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading vessel located offshore Bonny, Rivers State.
“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 new crude grade, with an API gravity of 36.4, falls within the light, sweet category, making it attractive to international refiners due to its high yield of premium products such as petrol and diesel.
This places Cawthorne in the same league as Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light crude, which is widely sought after in global markets.
The development comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to ramp up crude production and meet ambitious national targets, including three million barrels per day of oil and 12 billion cubic feet per day of gas by 2030.
NNPC said the introduction of the Cawthorne blend is part of a broader strategy to unlock value from its asset base, expand market offerings, and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international oil market.
The company noted that the new grade builds on recent additions such as Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a structured effort to optimise production and diversify export options.
Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, said the milestone reflects the company’s shift towards 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,” he said.
Ojulari added, “The successful export of the Cawthorne crude grade is not an isolated achievement; it is part of a broader, deliberate strategy to grow production, deepen market relevance, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a reliable global energy supplier.
“We remain firmly focused on delivering sustainable growth in line with national objectives and global market expectations.”
He also commended the Federal Government’s reform agenda and collaboration among key stakeholders, including OML 18 partners and regulators, in achieving the milestone.
NNPC reiterated its commitment to leveraging innovation, partnerships, and operational discipline to maximise the value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources while ensuring long-term energy security.
Nigeria has in recent years struggled with declining crude oil production due to challenges such as oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and underinvestment in upstream operations.
To address this, the Federal Government and NNPC have introduced reforms and partnerships aimed at boosting output and improving efficiency across the value chain.
The introduction of the Cawthorne crude comes months after the country last added new export grades to its crude slate, reflecting a gradual but deliberate effort to expand its offerings in the international market.
The most recent additions before Cawthorne were Nembe crude, introduced around 2023, and Utapate crude, which entered the market in 2024. These followed a relatively long period during which Nigeria’s crude oil exports were dominated by established grades such as Bonny Light, Qua Iboe, Forcados, and Escravos.
Expanding the country’s crude slate could help Nigeria remain competitive amid shifting global energy dynamics and increasing demand for cleaner, high-quality crude blends.Adapted from the Punch
