NNPC TO LAUNCH EXPORTS OF NEW CRUDE GRADE IN MARCH – REPORT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Nigeria is preparing to commence exports of a new light, sweet crude grade called Cawthorne in March, aiming to boost oil production and consolidate recent gains in output, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced.
A spokesperson for NNPC confirmed the development to Reuters on Tuesday, noting that the new grade will help strengthen Nigeria’s standing within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as the country pursues higher production targets amid rising output.
The launch of Cawthorne is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to increase crude production, which has long been hampered by pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and security challenges in the Niger Delta. Sources indicate the first export cargo is expected in the third week of March.
Cawthorne crude, with an API gravity of 36.4, closely resembles Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, prized by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel. NNPC reportedly issued a tender last week for loading the new grade between March 24 and 25.
Analysts at Kpler noted that exports will likely be handled via the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel Cawthorne, which has a storage capacity of roughly 2.2 million barrels. The facility supports crude transport from Oil Mining Lease 18 and adjacent assets in the eastern Niger Delta.
The introduction of Cawthorne could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from around 1.65 million barrels per day to about 1.7 million barrels per day for the remainder of the year, contingent on operational stability and market demand.
Currently, Nigeria’s OPEC+ crude production quota stands at 1.5 million barrels per day, with actual output reaching approximately 1.48 million barrels per day in January. Recent security improvements across pipelines and oil facilities have contributed to rising production and reduced losses from theft.
Cawthorne is the third new crude grade Nigeria has introduced in recent years, following Utapate in 2024 and Obodo in 2025. Experts say diversifying export streams allows Nigeria to access different markets, increase pricing flexibility, and enhance resilience in global oil trade.
As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria is implementing sector reforms under President Bola Tinubu to boost production, attract investment, and increase government revenue. The recent gains in output and the introduction of new crude grades are expected to improve the country’s earnings amid volatile but generally favorable global oil prices.
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