The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has confirmed a significant oil discovery at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. The well, operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited under the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, marks a milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to expand its hydrocarbon reserves.
Drilling for the Awodi-07 well began in late November 2025 and concluded in mid-December, with all operations carried out safely and efficiently in line with regulatory standards. Following comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was successfully secured, confirming a notable presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones.
NNPC described the discovery as a testament to disciplined exploration, technical expertise, and strong collaboration between the joint venture partners. In a statement, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, commended Chevron for its performance, noting that the success reinforces national energy security and supports sustainable value creation for the Nigerian people.
Mr. Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President of Upstream at NNPC Ltd, highlighted the importance of long-term collaboration and sector reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act. “This discovery underscores how structured exploration programs and effective partnerships can unlock Nigeria’s oil and gas potential,” Ntia said, emphasizing plans to progress the site toward timely development and monetisation.
Under the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture agreement, Chevron holds a 40% stake while NNPC Ltd retains the remaining share. The partners aim to increase oil production to around 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, job creation, and national energy supply, while boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon sector.
source: Punch