NNPC expands crude portfolio with Cawthorne blend, exports first shipment to Europe

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has broadened Nigeria’s crude oil offerings with the successful introduction of a new blend, Cawthorne, into the international market.
This was made known in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, who confirmed that the first shipment has already been exported.

According to the statement, the maiden cargo of 950,000 barrels was loaded on April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones vessel and transported to the Netherlands.
Cawthorne crude, which has an API gravity of 36.4, is classified as a light and sweet grade, similar to Bonny Light crude, making it highly desirable in the global refining market.
The export operation was executed through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading facility situated offshore Bonny in Rivers State, thereby improving crude evacuation and operational efficiency.
NNPC explained that the development aligns with its broader strategy aimed at increasing production, maximising asset value, and reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global oil market.
The introduction of the Cawthorne blend also supports national goals of ramping up crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet daily by 2030.
NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.