Nigeria’s drive to increase crude oil production and boost export earnings is gaining momentum with the growing contribution of two newly introduced crude grades, Utapate and Cawthorne, which collectively delivered about 12.16 million barrels between January and May 2026.
Analysis of production data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission shows that Utapate crude accounted for 8.75 million barrels during the five-month period, while the newly launched Cawthorne blend contributed 3.41 million barrels.
The two grades, introduced in 2024 and early 2026 respectively, represent the latest additions to Nigeria’s export portfolio as the country seeks to diversify its crude streams, strengthen foreign exchange earnings and sustain production growth.
Utapate, which commenced production in May 2024, maintained a steady upward trajectory during the review period. Average daily production rose from 55,190 barrels in January to 59,170 barrels in May, translating to monthly output ranging between 1.62 million and 1.83 million barrels.
Despite the improvement, the field remains below its projected production target of 80,000 barrels per day. The production shortfall narrowed from 24,810 barrels per day in January to 20,830 barrels per day in May, indicating progress but highlighting the challenges of scaling output to planned levels.
The target was announced by the Managing Director of NNPC E&P Limited, Nicholas Foucart, during the launch of the Utapate crude blend in 2024. At the time, operators projected production would rise to 80,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025.
Produced from OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State, Utapate has attracted attention in international markets due to its low sulphur content of 0.0655 per cent and reduced carbon footprint resulting from flare gas elimination. The blend was introduced to the global market following the export of its maiden 950,000-barrel cargo to Spain.
According to operators, OML 13 contains an estimated 330 million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, making it one of Nigeria’s significant upstream assets.
Meanwhile, the Cawthorne blend emerged as another growing contributor to national production. Data showed average daily production increased from 12,340 barrels in January to 28,940 barrels in May, peaking at 30,970 barrels per day in April.
Monthly output rose steadily from 382,540 barrels in January to 897,140 barrels in May, reflecting the rapid ramp-up of operations.
Recently, NNPC Limited announced the commencement of exports from the Cawthorne blend, describing it as a strategic addition to Nigeria’s basket of internationally traded crude grades.
According to the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the maiden cargo of approximately 950,000 barrels was exported aboard the MT Eburones vessel to the Netherlands through the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading facility located offshore Bonny in Rivers State.
The Cawthorne blend has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it within the light sweet crude category alongside Nigeria’s premium export grades. Its characteristics make it highly attractive to refiners due to its strong petrol and diesel yield.
The export facility is expected to improve crude evacuation from OML 18 while enhancing operational efficiency, export reliability and energy security.
The growing contribution of both crude streams comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s oil sector. Together, Utapate and Cawthorne added more than 12 million barrels to national output in the first five months of the year, supporting broader efforts to increase production and improve government revenues.
The development also coincides with Nigeria surpassing its crude oil production quota allocated by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in May 2026. Data released by the NUPRC showed the country produced an average of 1.53 million barrels of crude oil per day during the month, equivalent to 102 per cent of its OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day.
When condensate production of 170,446 barrels per day is included, Nigeria’s total oil output reached 1.7 million barrels per day, reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading oil producer and providing additional support for foreign exchange earnings.
For MSMEs and the broader economy, sustained growth in oil production could improve government revenues, strengthen foreign exchange inflows and create opportunities for businesses operating across logistics, engineering, manufacturing and oilfield services value chains.
