KEY POINTS
- NNPC exported the first 950,000 barrels of the new Cawthorne Blend crude from the FSO Cawthorne terminal.
- The facility, Nigeria’s first new crude terminal in 50 years, supports OML 18 production with advanced technology and storage capacity.
- The new crude grade could raise Nigeria’s output to about 1.7 million barrels per day and boost national oil revenue.
Nigeria is set to record increased oil revenue following the export of 950,000 barrels of the newly introduced Cawthorne Blend crude by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The cargo was lifted from the FSO Cawthorne vessel, described as Nigeria’s first new crude oil terminal in about 50 years.
According to a statement by Sahara Group on Monday, the shipment marks the debut export of the light sweet Cawthorne crude grade into the global market.
The company confirmed that the first lifting was initiated over the weekend after the facility received licensing and gazetting approval from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Strategic Offshore Asset for OML 18 Operations
The FSO Cawthorne functions as a major offshore production support facility, offering storage and offtake capabilities for crude produced from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and nearby assets. Sahara Group described the development as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s energy security through improved production, storage, and evacuation infrastructure.
The group also highlighted the advanced technologies deployed at the terminal, including artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring systems and strong quality, health, safety, and environmental frameworks designed to improve efficiency, asset integrity, and environmental compliance.
Sahara Group commended NNPC for its leadership in OML 18 and surrounding assets in the eastern Niger Delta, noting that collaborative operations continue to deliver value across Nigeria’s upstream sector.
Dr. Tosin Etomi, Head of Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy, said the crude lifting represents a defining moment for the OML 18 partnership and the broader oil and gas industry. He noted that the transition of FSO Cawthorne into active export aligns with Sahara’s strategy of building a resilient and scalable production portfolio driven by partnerships and operational excellence.
The launch of Cawthorne Blend is part of Nigeria’s broader push to increase oil production after years of setbacks caused by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
With an API gravity of 36.4, the new grade is comparable to Bonny Light and is expected to attract strong demand from refiners due to its high gasoline and diesel yields. Industry projections suggest the introduction of Cawthorne crude could lift Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from about 1.65 million barrels per day to roughly 1.7 million barrels per day, subject to operational stability and market demand.
