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Nigeria’s revenue outlook is expected to improve following a major milestone by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which has successfully introduced and exported 950,000 barrels of Cawthorne Blend crude to the international market.
The shipment was carried out via the FSO Cawthorne vessel, described as Nigeria’s first newly developed crude oil terminal in five decades, according to a statement released by Sahara Group on Monday.
The development confirms earlier reports that a new light sweet crude grade, known as Cawthorne, was exported in March under the leadership of NNPC’s Bayo Ojulari.
“Over the weekend, the first shipment of 950,000 barrels from FSO Cawthorne, Nigeria’s newest oil terminal, was initiated following its licensing and gazetting by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)”, the statement read in part.
The FSO Cawthorne functions as a key offshore facility, offering storage and offtake support for crude produced from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and surrounding assets.
Sahara Group highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, noting that it enhances Nigeria’s energy security through dependable production, storage and export capabilities. The company also pointed to the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems and strong quality, health, safety and environmental standards, to boost efficiency and operational integrity.
Dr Tosin Etomi, Head of Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy, described the crude lifting as a landmark achievement for the OML 18 partnership and the wider oil and gas industry.
“The successful commencement of crude lifting from FSO Cawthorne is a significant milestone for the OML 18 partnership and a strong demonstration of what can be achieved through shared vision, technical discipline and committed collaboration,” Etomi said.
According to Reuters, the introduction of the new crude grade forms part of Nigeria’s broader effort to increase oil production, which has long been hindered by theft, pipeline vandalism and security challenges in the Niger Delta.
Cawthorne crude, with an API gravity of 36.4, is comparable to Bonny Light, a premium Nigerian grade favoured by refiners for its high petrol and diesel yields.
The new grade could raise Nigeria’s crude and condensate output from about 1.65 million barrels per day to roughly 1.7 million barrels per day, depending on operational stability and market demand.
