Nigeria Launches New Crude Grade Cawthorne to Boost Oil Production

Nigeria's state-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), is set to begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade named Cawthorne starting in March 2026. This initiative is part of Nigeria's broader strategy to enhance its oil production and strengthen its position in global markets. The first shipments of Cawthorne are scheduled for the third week of March, with tenders issued for loading on March 24-25.

NNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting outputReutersOil Price

Cawthorne crude has an API gravity of 36.4, making it comparable to Nigeria's flagship Bonny Light crude, which is favored by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel. The crude will be exported from the Floating Storage and Offloading vessel (FSO) Cawthorne, which has a capacity of approximately 2.2 million barrels. This new grade is expected to increase Nigeria's crude and condensate supply from around 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd) to approximately 1.7 million bpd for the remainder of 2026.

ReutersNNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting outputOil Price

Historically, Nigeria has faced challenges in meeting its OPEC+ production quotas due to issues such as pipeline vandalism and crude theft. The country has struggled to achieve its production targets, with an average daily output of about 1.5 million bpd in 2025, which was significantly lower than the government's goal. However, the recent introduction of Cawthorne, along with previous grades like Utapate in 2024 and Obodo in 2025, reflects a concerted effort to revitalize the oil sector and diversify export streams.

NNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting outputReutersOil Price

NNPC's executive vice president for upstream, Udy Ntia, stated that the company aims to increase oil production to 2 million bpd within the next two years and reach 3 million bpd by 2030. This ambitious plan is part of Nigeria's strategy to secure a higher production target within the OPEC+ framework, leveraging improved operational stability and output performance.

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Despite the optimistic outlook, some analysts caution that Nigeria's history of production disruptions may hinder the realization of these targets. Critics argue that without addressing the underlying issues of theft and operational inefficiencies, the projected increases in production may not be sustainable.

NNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting output

• “Analysts say launching Cawthorne is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to revive oil production after years of disruption from pipeline vandalism, theft, and operational challenges.” — Ayo Kehinde, Journalist

NNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting output

The introduction of the Cawthorne crude grade marks a significant step for Nigeria as it seeks to enhance its oil production capabilities and expand its export offerings. While the potential for increased output is promising, the country must navigate historical challenges to achieve its ambitious goals within the OPEC+ framework.

NNPC To Begin Exporting New Crude Grade In March, Boosting output