The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commended Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta, describing the outcome as a significant boost to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon prospects.
In a statement issued on Monday, NNPC said the Awodi-07 well was drilled under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture as part of ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within the venture’s asset portfolio. Drilling commenced in late November 2025 and was concluded by mid-December 2025, with operations carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory standards.
Following extensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, results from the well confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, marking what NNPC described as a notable milestone for the joint venture.
Reacting to the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational excellence and technical competence, noting that the discovery aligns with Nigeria’s broader energy ambitions.
“The success of the Awodi-07 well further reinforces the strength of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves,” Ojulari said. “This achievement aligns with our strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”
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Also speaking, NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mr. Udy Ntia, said the discovery reflects the benefits of sustained collaboration, technical discipline, and reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. He added that both partners are committed to progressing the opportunity toward timely development and monetisation.
NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited operate several oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta under a joint venture arrangement, with Chevron holding a 40 per cent stake and NNPC retaining 60 per cent. Through the partnership, the companies aim to ramp up production to about 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, job creation, and Nigeria’s long-term energy security.