NNPC begins export of new crude grade in March – Report

Nigeria is set to begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade known as Cawthorne in March as part of efforts to boost oil production and consolidate the recent recovery in output, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed.

The development, which was confirmed by a spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to Reuters on Tuesday, is expected to strengthen the country’s position within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as it seeks a higher production target amid improving output levels.

According to the report, the launch of the new grade is part of Nigeria’s broader push to lift production, which has been constrained for years by crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta. A source familiar with the development said the first export cargo is expected in the third week of March.

Cawthorne crude, which has an API gravity of 36.4, is similar in quality to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, a grade widely valued by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel. The report disclosed that NNPC issued a tender last week for the new grade for loading between March 24 and 25.

Analysts at energy intelligence firm Kpler noted that the crude is expected to be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading vessel Cawthorne, which has a storage capacity of about 2.2 million barrels.

The facility is designed to enhance crude transportation and production from Oil Mining Lease 18 and surrounding assets in the eastern Niger Delta.

The introduction of the grade could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from about 1.65 million barrels per day to roughly 1.7 million barrels per day for the rest of the year, depending on operational stability and market demand.

Nigeria’s crude production quota under the OPEC+ framework currently stands at 1.5 million barrels per day. Data from the cartel showed that the country produced about 1.48 million barrels per day in January.

The country has, in recent months, ramped up security efforts across oil infrastructure and pipelines, leading to improved output and reduced losses from theft. Cawthorne is the third new crude grade introduced by Nigeria in recent years as the government and industry players work to diversify export streams and attract more buyers.

Other new grades launched include Obodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024. Experts say the introduction of additional crude streams helps Nigeria target different market segments, improve pricing flexibility, and strengthen resilience in global oil trade.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is intensifying reforms in the oil and gas sector under President Bola Tinubu, with a focus on improving production, increasing investment, and boosting government revenue.

The country’s oil output had declined in recent years due to operational disruptions and divestments by international oil companies. However, recent improvements in pipeline security and upstream activity are gradually restoring production levels.

A sustained growth in output and the introduction of new crude grades could enhance Nigeria’s earnings at a time when global oil prices remain volatile but supportive of energy-exporting economies.