By Feyisola Adeyeha
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has launched its new crude grade, Cawthorne, onto the global market, exporting its first cargo to the Netherlands. The Cawthorne blend crude, with an API gravity of 36.4, is comparable to Bonny Light and highly valued for its superior petrol and diesel yields.
The maiden cargo of 950,000 barrels was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel, enhancing crude evacuation from OML 18 and strengthening Nigeria’s export reliability. This launch underscores NNPC Ltd’s strategy to unlock value from its asset base, deepen market competitiveness, and support the Presidential mandate of scaling crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy direction and sector reforms, attributing the milestone to collaborative efforts with OML 18 partners, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and other stakeholders.
The launch of Cawthorne crude reinforces NNPC Ltd’s commitment to disciplined execution, value delivery, and sustainable growth, positioning Nigeria as a reliable global energy supplier.
Ojulari emphasized that the company is focused on deepening partnerships, strengthening operational discipline, and deploying innovative solutions to ensure sustainable growth and energy security for the nation.
The successful export of Cawthorne crude is part of NNPC Ltd’s broader strategy to grow production, deepen market relevance, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.
The company will continue to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational discipline to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources while ensuring the country’s long-term energy security and economic growth.
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