NNPC Begins Export of New Cawthorne Crude Grade to Global Market
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced the commencement of exports of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, marking a significant addition to Nigeria’s crude portfolio in the international market.
In a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company disclosed that the Cawthorne blend was loaded onto the MT Eburones vessel and has departed for the Netherlands, en route to global buyers.
According to the statement, the Cawthorne crude, classified as a light and sweet grade with an API gravity of 36.4, is comparable to Bonny Light crude oil and is highly sought after for its high yields in petrol and diesel production.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, described the development as a major milestone in efforts to boost Nigeria’s crude production and enhance its competitiveness in the global energy market.
Ojulari explained that the maiden cargo of 950,000 barrels was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel located offshore in Bonny, Rivers State, adding that the facility would improve evacuation from OML 18 and strengthen operational efficiency and energy security.
He further noted that the introduction of the new grade aligns with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and supports national targets to increase crude oil production and gas output by 2030.
The NNPC boss added that the move builds on recent crude additions such as Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a broader strategy to optimise production, expand market offerings, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a reliable global energy supplier.
