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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited – NNPC Ltd has officially expanded its international market footprint with the maiden export of its new “Cawthorne” crude grade.

A shipment of 950,000 barrels was successfully loaded onto the MT Eburones vessel via a Floating Storage and Offloading – FSO unit situated offshore Bonny, Rivers State. This initial cargo is destined for the Netherlands, signaling a strategic victory in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its export streams and optimize its hydrocarbon revenue.

Cawthorne crude enters the global arena as a premium “light, sweet” variety, boasting an API gravity of 36.4. This classification makes it highly competitive and comparable to the well-known Bonny Light, particularly due to its superior yields of high-demand fuels like petrol and diesel.

By adding Cawthorne to a portfolio that recently saw the introduction of the Utapate and Obodo grades, NNPC Ltd is positioning Nigeria to better meet the specific needs of international refiners while strengthening its influence within OPEC+.

The launch of this new stream is a critical component of Nigeria’s broader ambition to scale crude oil production to three million barrels per day by 2030.

According to NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the development reflects a successful push to overcome historical production bottlenecks caused by infrastructure vandalism and regional unrest.

The milestone was achieved through collaborative efforts between OML 18 partners and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission – NUPRC under current sector reforms.

Looking ahead, the inclusion of the Cawthorne blend is expected to enhance Nigeria’s export efficiency and overall economic resilience. By leveraging operational discipline and strategic offshore assets, NNPC Ltd aims to ensure long-term energy security while maximizing the value of the nation’s natural resources.

This move not only boosts immediate national output but also reinforces Nigeria’s status as a reliable and versatile supplier in an ever-evolving global energy market.