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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commenced the export of its new crude grade, Cawthorne, with an initial shipment of 950,000 barrels.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.

The milestone marks a significant step in NNPC’s strategy to boost Nigeria’s crude oil production and expand its portfolio of export-grade crude streams.

The company confirmed that the Cawthorne crude blend was loaded onto the MT Eburones vessel for export to the Netherlands and the global market. The shipment was carried out via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel located offshore Bonny, Rivers State.

NNPC Ltd highlighted the significance of the new crude grade and its export potential.

The company noted that the introduction of the crude grade strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global oil market and enhances export efficiency.

In February, Nairametrics reported that NNPC was set to commence export of a new light, sweet crude grade known as Cawthorne from March 2026.

The move, NNPC said, aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy to boost production after years of constraints caused by pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and unrest in oil-producing regions.

It also follows the launch of two other new grades — Obodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024 — as Africa’s top oil exporter seeks to strengthen its standing within OPEC+.

The introduction of Cawthorne crude reflects NNPC’s broader ambition to expand its export portfolio and meet national production targets.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policy direction and sector reforms, as well as the collaboration of OML 18 partners and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in achieving the milestone.

Ojulari said NNPC will continue to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational discipline to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources while ensuring Nigeria’s long-term energy security and economic growth.

NNPC Ltd continues to pursue strategies aimed at maximising value from Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.

The commencement of Cawthorne crude exports signals NNPC’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s oil production capacity and reinforcing its presence in international energy markets.