Nigeria is set to record increased revenue following a major milestone by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which has successfully exported 950,000 barrels of Cawthorne Blend crude oil to the international market.
The shipment was executed through the FSO Cawthorne vessel, described as Nigeria’s first new crude oil terminal in over 50 years.
The development was confirmed in a statement by Sahara Group, which welcomed the advancement in the country’s oil sector.
According to the statement, the first cargo was lifted over the weekend following the licensing and official gazetting of the facility by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
FSO Cawthorne serves as a key offshore production asset, offering storage and export capabilities for crude oil produced from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and nearby fields in the Niger Delta.
Sahara Group highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, noting that it enhances Nigeria’s energy security through improved production, storage, and evacuation infrastructure.
The company also pointed to the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems, which are designed to boost efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.
The group commended the NNPC for its leadership role in OML 18 operations, where it partners with other stakeholders to drive productivity and value creation in the upstream sector.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Tosin Etomi, Head of Commercial and Planning at Asharami Energy, described the crude lifting as a defining moment for both the OML 18 partnership and Nigeria’s broader oil and gas industry.
“The successful commencement of crude lifting from FSO Cawthorne is a significant milestone for the OML 18 partnership and a strong demonstration of what can be achieved through shared vision, technical discipline and committed collaboration,” he said.
Etomi added that the milestone aligns with Sahara Group’s long-term upstream strategy, which focuses on operational excellence, indigenous participation, and sustainable production growth.
He further emphasised the importance of innovation in oilfield services, noting that enhanced operational capabilities are critical to improving efficiency and ensuring responsible resource development.
The company also acknowledged the contributions of host communities and regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, in ensuring smooth operations.
Industry analysts noted that the introduction of the Cawthorne Blend crude could strengthen Nigeria’s position within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), especially as the country seeks to increase output levels.
With an API gravity of 36.4, the new crude grade is comparable to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, which is widely valued in global markets for its high yield of refined products such as gasoline and diesel.
The development is expected to push Nigeria’s crude and condensate production from about 1.65 million barrels per day to approximately 1.7 million barrels per day, depending on operational stability and market demand.
The export also reflects ongoing efforts by the country to overcome longstanding challenges in the oil sector, including crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and security concerns in the Niger Delta.
