NNPC Set to Launch Export of New Crude Grade, Cawthorne, in March

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is set to begin the export of a new light, sweet crude oil grade, Cawthorne, by the end of March.

NNPC’s spokesperson, Andy Odeh, confirmed the development to Vanguard on Tuesday, noting that the crude is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s oil production and export profile.

Reports indicate that Cawthorne has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it in the same quality range as Bonny Light, Nigeria’s premium crude, widely known for its high gasoline and diesel yields.

NNPC issued a tender last week for shipments scheduled between March 24 and 25. Analysts at Kpler have disclosed that the crude will be exported through a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel named Cawthorne, with a storage capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd).

According to Kpler, the new crude could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate output from 1.65 million bpd to approximately 1.7 million bpd for the remainder of 2026.

This follows the launch of other local crude grades in recent years, including Obodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024. Nigeria’s oil output rose to 1.45 million bpd in January 2026, up from 1.42 million bpd in December 2025.

Earlier in February, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, stated that Nigeria’s total oil output, including condensates, stood at 1.75 million bpd.

The introduction of Cawthorne is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global crude market and expand the country’s export capacity.