The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has commenced the export of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, in a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s crude output and strengthening its footprint in the global oil market.
The national oil company disclosed on Tuesday that the maiden cargo of the new blend was successfully shipped to Europe, signalling what industry observers describe as a renewed push to diversify Nigeria’s crude export streams and improve revenue generation.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, said in a statement that the first cargo of the Cawthorne blend was lifted on April 5, 2026, aboard the MT Eburones vessel en route to the Netherlands.
The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced export of its new crude grade, Cawthorne, marking a significant milestone in the Company’s drive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and expand its portfolio of globally competitive export streams.
“Cawthorne blend crude, the latest addition to Nigeria’s basket of crude grades, has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it firmly within the light, sweet category, comparable to Bonny Light, and highly valued in the global market for its superior petrol and diesel yields.
“NNPC Ltd confirms that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Cawthorne blend crude, which was loaded on an MT Eburones vessel, is headed to the Netherlands and onward to the global market.”
Odeh noted that the maiden cargo, estimated at 950,000 barrels, was exported through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading vessel located offshore Bonny in Rivers State in southern Nigeria.
“The cargo was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading vessel, which is strategically located offshore Bonny. The facility enhances crude evacuation from OML 18 and strengthens Nigeria’s export reliability, operational efficiency, and overall energy security,” he added.
According to him, the new crude grade, with an API gravity of 36.4, falls within the light, sweet category, making it attractive to international refiners due to its high yield of premium products such as petrol and diesel.
This places Cawthorne in the same league as Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light crude, which is widely sought after in global markets.
GIK/APA