The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced that it will begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade called Cawthorne from March 2026, in a move aimed at boosting oil production and consolidating recent output recovery .
A spokesperson for NNPC confirmed the development to Reuters on Tuesday, stating that the launch is part of Nigeria’s broader push to lift production, which has long been constrained by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta .
According to a source familiar with the matter, the first export cargo is expected in the third week of March . NNPC last week issued a tender for the new grade for loading between March 24 and 25, signaling that commercial marketing is already underway .
Cawthorne crude has an API gravity of 36.4, making it similar in quality to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, a grade widely valued by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel .
Analysts at energy intelligence firm Kpler noted that the crude will be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) 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.
Based on the vessel’s storage capacity, Kpler estimated that Cawthorne could lift Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from roughly 1.65 million barrels per day to around 1.7 million barrels per day for the rest of the year .
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, nearing its quota limit .
The introduction of Cawthorne marks the third new crude grade launched by Nigeria in recent years, following Obodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024 . These launches are part of efforts by the government and industry players to diversify export streams, attract more buyers, and strengthen Nigeria’s position within OPEC as it seeks a higher production target .
The country has ramped up security efforts across oil infrastructure and pipelines in recent months, leading to improved output and reduced losses from theft . Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is intensifying reforms in the oil and gas sector under President Bola Tinubu, focusing on improving production, increasing investment, and boosting government revenue .
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 for energy-exporting economies .
