The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced the international launch of Cawthorne, a new light sweet crude grade aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global crude oil market.
With an API gravity of 36.4, Cawthorne crude offers high yields of petrol and diesel, making it attractive to international refiners. The new grade joins Nigeria’s growing portfolio of export crudes, including Bonny Light, Nembe, and Utapate, as the country continues to diversify its crude offerings.
The first export cargo of approximately 950,000 barrels was loaded from the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) facility, located offshore Bonny in Rivers State. The shipment departed aboard the MT Eburones bound for the Netherlands, marking the crude grade’s debut in the international market.
The Cawthorne FSO supports efficient crude evacuation from OML 18, helping improve export logistics and operational performance while supporting increased production capacity.
Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, said the successful launch reflects the company’s commitment to transforming resource potential into commercial value through strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and market expansion.
The introduction of Cawthorne crude forms part of NNPC’s broader strategy to enhance production, strengthen export competitiveness, and maximise value from Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
