Light, sweet grade set for March export, boosting production capacity and strengthening Nigeria’s OPEC standing….
Nigeria is preparing to introduce a new light, sweet crude grade known as Cawthorne to the international market in March, in what industry observers describe as another milestone in the country’s ongoing oil production rebound.
The development was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, who disclosed that the first export cargo of the new blend is expected to sail in the third week of March.
The launch comes as Nigeria works to consolidate recent improvements in output after years of disruptions caused by crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and security challenges in the Niger Delta.
A Strategic Addition to Nigeria’s Crude Basket
Cawthorne is classified as a light, sweet crude with an API gravity of 36.4 — placing it in a similar quality range as Bonny Light, Nigeria’s flagship grade prized by refiners for its high gasoline and diesel yields.
Traders say the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) issued a tender last week for cargoes of the new grade scheduled for loading between March 24 and 25, signalling readiness for commercial export.
Energy market analysts note that introducing a new crude stream at this stage strengthens Nigeria’s flexibility in global oil trade, allowing it to target different refiners and optimise pricing amid shifting demand patterns.
Infrastructure Backing the New Grade
The crude will be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel Cawthorne, which has an estimated storage capacity of about 2.2 million barrels.
The facility supports production from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and nearby assets in the eastern Niger Delta, helping streamline evacuation logistics and reduce bottlenecks that have historically constrained output.
According to analysts at energy intelligence firm Kpler, improved infrastructure and security around production corridors have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s gradual output recovery.
Output on the Rise
Industry projections suggest the addition of Cawthorne could lift Nigeria’s combined crude and condensate production from around 1.65 million barrels per day to approximately 1.7 million barrels per day for the remainder of the year, subject to operational stability and market demand.
Nigeria’s current crude production quota under the OPEC+ framework stands at 1.5 million barrels per day. Recent data from the cartel indicates the country produced roughly 1.48 million barrels per day in January, edging closer to its allocated target.
A sustained increase in production would strengthen Nigeria’s voice within the OPEC+ alliance, particularly as the country seeks greater room to expand output following years of underperformance.
Expanding Nigeria’s Crude Portfolio
Cawthorne becomes the third new crude grade introduced in recent years. The country previously launched the Obodo blend in 2025 and Utapate in 2024 as part of a broader strategy to diversify export streams.
Energy experts argue that adding new grades improves Nigeria’s resilience in global oil markets, enhances pricing flexibility, and broadens its appeal to refiners across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Reform and Recovery
Africa’s largest oil producer has intensified reforms in the sector under President Bola Tinubu, focusing on restoring investor confidence, tightening pipeline security, and boosting upstream activity.
Nigeria’s oil output had declined sharply in recent years due to infrastructure sabotage, theft, and divestments by international oil companies. However, stronger security coordination and renewed investment are gradually reversing the slide.
With global oil prices remaining volatile but relatively supportive of energy exporters, analysts say sustained production growth alongside the rollout of new crude grades like Cawthorne could significantly enhance Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and fiscal stability.
As the first cargo prepares to load in March, market participants will be watching closely to see whether Cawthorne delivers not just barrels, but a durable symbol of Nigeria’s oil sector recovery.
