NNPC Delivers 950,000 Barrels First Cawthorne Cargo To Netherlands

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the successful delivery of its maiden 950,000-barrel cargo of the new Cawthorne blend crude to the Netherlands, utilising the the new Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel linked to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18.

This export, loaded on Sunday, April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones and now en route to global markets, signals NNPC’s aggressive push to elevate Nigeria’s crude production and diversify its portfolio of high-demand export grades, the company said in a statement by its group chief communications officer, Andy Odeh, on Tuesday.
The Cawthorne blend, with its API gravity of 36.4, slots perfectly into the light, sweet crude category—much like the renowned Bonny Light—making it a prized commodity for international refiners due to its exceptional yields of petrol and diesel.
The FSO facilitates crude evacuation from OML 18.
NNPC stated the export supports efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude production and expand its export grades. It follows recent additions like Nembe and Utapate.
The Company targets include three million barrels per day of crude and 12 billion cubic feet per day of gas by 2030.
NNPC group chief executive officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari noted collaboration with OML 18 partners and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
“This reflects the direction we have set for NNPC Limited—one anchored on execution, partnership, and value creation,” Ojulari noted.
“We are moving decisively from resource potential to resource monetization, ensuring every asset delivers measurable commercial outcomes.”
He further highlighted NNPC’s unwavering focus on forging deeper partnerships, enforcing operational discipline, and rolling out innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth and secure Nigeria’s energy future. “The successful delivery of this first Cawthorne cargo to the Netherlands is not an isolated win; it’s integral to our broader strategy of growing production, enhancing market relevance, and positioning Nigeria as a reliable global energy supplier,” Ojulari added.
NNPC plans to continue using its assets for hydrocarbon production.
Strategically positioned offshore Bonny in Rivers State, the Cawthorne FSO not only streamlines crude evacuation from OML 18 but also fortifies Nigeria’s export infrastructure, boosting operational reliability, efficiency, and the nation’s energy security amid fluctuating global demands.
This achievement underscores NNPC Ltd’s multifaceted strategy to maximise value from its vast asset base, sharpen market competitiveness, and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambitious targets: ramping up crude oil output to three million barrels per day and gas production to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
Building on recent successes like the Nembe and Utapate grades, Cawthorne represents a deliberate, sustained effort to optimize production streams and cement Nigeria’s stature as a dependable player in the international crude oil arena.
Looking ahead, NNPC Limited pledges to harness innovation, strategic alliances, and rigorous operational standards to fully unlock Nigeria’s hydrocarbon riches, fostering long-term energy security and robust economic expansion.