Nigeria’s revenue prospects are set to improve as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has achieved a major milestone with the introduction and export of 950,000 barrels of Cawthorne Blend crude to the global market.
The export was conducted through the FSO Cawthorne vessel, regarded as Nigeria’s first newly established crude oil terminal in 50 years, according to a statement issued by Sahara Group on Monday.
The development confirms earlier reports that a new light sweet crude grade, known as Cawthorne, was shipped this 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 serves as a vital offshore facility, providing storage and evacuation support for crude produced from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and nearby assets.
Sahara Group emphasised the importance of the facility in enhancing Nigeria’s energy security, citing its reliable production, storage and export capabilities. It also highlighted the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring systems and strong QHSE standards, to improve operational efficiency, safety and environmental performance.
The company praised NNPC’s leadership in managing OML 18 and surrounding assets in the eastern Niger Delta, where Sahara operates as a joint venture partner, noting that collaboration continues to drive improvements and value creation in the upstream sector.
Dr Tosin Etomi, Head of Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy, described the crude lifting as a significant milestone for both the OML 18 partnership and the broader 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.
He added that the development aligns with Sahara Group’s upstream strategy, which focuses on building a resilient and scalable production portfolio driven by strong partnerships, asset optimisation and long-term value creation.
Etomi further noted that the company’s growing oilfield services division is enhancing innovation, efficiency and sustainability, while reaffirming its commitment to community engagement and global environmental, social and governance standards.
He also commended host communities and regulatory agencies, including the NUPRC, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, for their support in ensuring seamless operations.
According to Reuters, the introduction of the new crude grade forms part of Nigeria’s broader effort to boost production, which has been constrained by oil theft, pipeline vandalism and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Cawthorne crude, with an API gravity of 36.4, is comparable to Bonny Light, a premium Nigerian grade valued by refiners for its high yields of petrol and diesel.
The new grade could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate output from about 1.65 million barrels per day to approximately 1.7 million barrels per day, depending on operational stability and market demand.