Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced the discovery of a new oil well in the Niger Delta, commending Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for the achievement. The discovery was made at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well, operated by Chevron under the NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.
According to NNPCL spokesperson, John Odey, the discovery underscores the strength of the partnership between both companies. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, described the discovery as a significant boost to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon development efforts, reinforcing the Joint Venture’s commitment to responsibly growing the nation’s oil and gas reserves while supporting increased production and energy security.
The success of the Awodi-07 well is seen as a major milestone, aligning with NNPCL’s strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people. The Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Udy Ntia, attributed the discovery to sustained collaboration, technical discipline, and a stable operating environment, highlighting the importance of disciplined exploration programs and strong partnerships.
The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio. Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were completed by mid-December 2025, with all activities carried out safely and efficiently. The results from the well confirm a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, which is expected to strengthen confidence in the asset and further validate the prospectivity of the area.
The Joint Venture aims to increase oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, which is expected to boost government revenue, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s overall energy supply. This development is seen as a positive step towards enhancing the country’s energy security and increasing its oil and gas reserves. NNPCL looks forward to working closely with Chevron to advance the discovery toward timely development and monetization, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering value for the Nigerian people.
