Nigeria’s oil sector has achieved a key milestone with the first export of a new crude grade, Cawthorne Blend, signalling a potential boost in national revenue and production. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited lifted 950,000 barrels from the FSO Cawthorne vessel, the country’s first new offshore crude oil terminal in half a century.
The shipment, initiated over the weekend, follows the terminal’s licensing by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The FSO Cawthorne serves as a storage and offtake hub for crude from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and adjacent assets in the eastern Niger Delta. Sahara Group, a joint venture partner on OML 18, hailed the development as a defining moment for the partnership and Nigeria’s upstream sector.
“The successful commencement of crude lifting from FSO Cawthorne is a significant milestone… and a strong demonstration of what can be achieved through shared vision, technical discipline and committed collaboration,” said Dr. Tosin Etomi, Head of Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy, a Sahara Group upstream company.
The vessel incorporates advanced monitoring systems and robust safety frameworks, which stakeholders say will enhance operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. Sahara Group credited its collaborative approach with NNPC and support from regulatory bodies like the NUPRC, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Nigeria Customs Service for enabling the project.
Cawthorne crude is a light sweet grade with an API gravity of 36.4, comparable to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light. Its introduction could raise Nigeria’s total crude and condensate supply by approximately 50,000 barrels per day, from about 1.65 million bpd to 1.7 million bpd, contingent on stable operations and market demand.
This development is strategically important as Nigeria seeks to increase its production quota within OPEC and reverse years of output decline caused by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and security issues in the Niger Delta. The launch of a new export terminal and grade demonstrates progress in stabilising upstream operations and expanding the country’s export portfolio.
Analysts note that sustained production from assets like OML 18, supported by modern infrastructure such as FSO Cawthorne, is critical for Nigeria to meet its fiscal and energy security objectives. The project also underscores a shift towards greater indigenous participation and technology deployment in the sector.
The first cargo of Cawthorne Blend marks the operationalisation of a strategic asset that had been in development for years. Its success is expected to encourage further investments in Nigeria’s petroleum infrastructure, potentially unlocking additional reserves and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global crude market.
