NNPC begins export of new crude grade in March – Report

Nigeria is set to begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade known as Cawthorne in March as part of efforts to boost oil production and consolidate the recent recovery in output, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has disclosed.

The development, which was confirmed by a spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to Reuters on Tuesday, is expected to strengthen the country’s position within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as it seeks a higher production target amid improving output levels.

According to the report, the launch of the new grade is part of Nigeria’s broader push to lift production, which has been constrained for years by crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta. A source familiar with the development said the first export cargo is expected in the third week of March.

Cawthorne crude, which has an API gravity of 36.4, is similar in quality to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light, a grade widely valued by refiners for its high yields of gasoline and diesel. The report disclosed that NNPC issued a tender last week for the new grade for loading between March 24 and 25.

Analysts at energy intelligence firm Kpler noted that the crude is expected to be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading 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.

The introduction of the grade could increase Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from about 1.65 million barrels per day to roughly 1.7 million barrels per day for the rest of the year, depending on operational stability and market demand.