Nigeria has commissioned its first wholly owned Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel, the Cawthorne, with a 2.2 million-barrel capacity. The vessel, a joint project between NNPC Limited, Sahara Group, Eroton E&P, and Bilton Energy Ltd., is designed to enhance crude oil evacuation from Nigeria’s OML 18 and nearby assets. This is the country’s first crude oil terminal to be commissioned in 50 years.
The Cawthorne FSO terminal is stationed offshore Bonny and will receive, store, and offload crude oil to export tankers, providing a dependable solution to the logistical and infrastructural constraints that have limited Nigeria’s crude evacuation capacity. The double-hull vessel is equipped with digital capabilities, including a Marine Control System and Artificial Intelligence, to maximize fully automated import/export systems and ensure safe and secure operations.
According to Udobong Ntia, EVP Upstream at NNPC Limited, the commissioning of the Cawthorne FSO is a bold achievement that will guarantee seamless operations and bolster the strategic targets set by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards ensuring optimized upstream production in Nigeria. Seyi Omotola, NNPC Chief Upstream Investment Officer, described the vessel as a “renewed hope” for Nigeria’s upstream sector, adding that it reaffirms the growing capacity of the nation to make its energy sector globally competitive.
The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also commended the achievement, stating that it aligns with the commission’s vision towards accelerating production in the nation reliably, seamlessly, and sustainably. The Cawthorne FSO is expected to enhance Nigeria’s export reliability and contribute to a more stable global energy supply chain.
The project was conceived to address persistent challenges in Nigeria’s evacuation system, including limited barging capacity, delays in ship-to-ship transfers, and reduced vessel accessibility due to siltation at various berthing slots. The conversion of the Cawthorne vessel from a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) into a fully integrated FSO unit was a feat of engineering excellence, including extensive modifications, state-of-the-art mooring systems, and cutting-edge import and export infrastructure.
The commissioning of the Cawthorne FSO reaffirms the commitment of the partners to powering progress responsibly through partnerships, innovation, and infrastructure that strengthen Africa’s energy independence. The vessel is expected to reduce pipeline dependency and the risks associated with oil theft and vandalism, while also providing a safe and secure environment for crew members and operations staff. With its scalable platform capable of accommodating future production increases and tie-ins from surrounding oil fields, the Cawthorne FSO is set to play a strategic role in Nigeria’s energy sector.