The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently achieved a major milestone by exporting the first cargo of its new crude oil grade, Cawthorne Blend, in March 2026. This new grade is part of Nigeria’s strategy to diversify its export portfolio and boost national revenue.
Approximately 950,000 barrels were lifted from the newly commissioned Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Cawthorne vessel.
The inaugural cargo was shipped to India, marking the blend’s official entry into the international market.
It is classified as a light, sweet crude with an API gravity of 36.4°, making it comparable to Nigeria’s flagship Bonny Light.
This marks the first crude export from a newly developed terminal in Nigeria in 50 years.
The introduction of Cawthorne follows other recent grade launches aimed at international refiners:
- Utapate Blend: Launched in mid-2024 from OML 13, this low-sulphur (0.0655%) blend initially targeted European markets, with the first shipment going to Spain.
- Nembe Crude: Introduced in late 2023, produced from OML 29, and valued for its low carbon footprint.
Increased export volumes from these new grades are expected to support naira stability through higher foreign exchange earnings.
By offering diverse premium grades, NNPC can better target specific refinery requirements in Europe, Asia, and the US East Coast.
The Cawthorne and Utapate blends are both high-quality, “light sweet” crudes designed to compete with global benchmarks like Brent and WTI. Below are their specific technical profiles based on recent NNPC assay data:
Cawthorne Crude Blend
Launched in March 2026, this blend is produced from OML 18 and is valued for its high yields of transportation fuels.
API Gravity: 36.4° (Light).
Sulphur Content: Ultra-low (estimated under 0.2%), classifying it as “sweet”.
Refining Profile:
Optimised for gasoline and diesel production.
Expected to deliver a 45–50% gasoline yield, compared to 35–40% for heavier grades.
Operational Advantage: Shipped via the FSO Cawthorne, which avoids pipeline security issues and allows for more stable delivery .
Utapate Crude Blend
Introduced in mid-2024 from OML 13, this grade has gained rapid traction in European markets like Spain.
API Gravity: Approximately 44° (Very Light).
Sulphur Content: 0.0655% (Ultra-low).
Key Characteristics:
Low Carbon Produced using flare gas elimination technology.
Yields: Comparable to the premium Amenam crude grade.
Target Markets: Ideal for European refiners facing strict environmental compliance standards.
Note by Alessandro Bazzoni