January 26, 2027
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Chevron Nigeria Limited have confirmed the discovery of significant hydrocarbons at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta — a development that could help Nigeria narrow the gap between actual output and national oil production goals.
According to NNPC Ltd, results from the Awodi-07 well, drilled under the NNPC Ltd/Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture, are “highly encouraging,” confirming substantial hydrocarbon presence across multiple reservoir zones. The well was drilled between late November and mid-December 2025 and has since been safely secured following testing, logging, and data acquisition.
NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the success reinforces the strength of the partnership and aligns with strategic priorities to increase production, enhance national energy security, and create value for Nigerians.
Nigeria has faced ongoing challenges in meeting its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota, with recent output often falling short of allocations despite the nation’s capacity to produce more.
Awodi-07’s discovery arrives as part of broader efforts to expand upstream activity and unlock additional reserves — key to advancing Nigeria’s oil production ambitions. Officials have previously cited targets to boost crude output toward around 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026 and further to 2 million bpd by 2027, though actual production has lagged due to infrastructure gaps and other sector constraints.
The joint venture also aims to lift oil output from its assets to about 146,000 barrels per day, contributing to national crude supply, generating government revenue, and supporting jobs and energy security.
NNPC Ltd officials highlight that discoveries like Awodi-07 play a role in broader sector reform efforts under the Petroleum Industry Act — designed to clarify fiscal terms and attract investment — and ongoing initiatives to revitalise Nigeria’s upstream oil sector.
The partnership between NNPC Ltd and Chevron — in which Chevron holds 40 % and NNPC 60 % of the assets — underscores continued collaboration to develop hydrocarbon resources more effectively, with the aim of turning discoveries into future production.
