Manny Ita
The NNPC Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture has successfully completed the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta, confirming a significant presence of hydrocarbons. The well, located within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 88, was drilled to a total depth of 3,850 meters and encountered multiple oil and gas-bearing reservoir zones. Chevron, which holds a 40% operating interest in the partnership alongside NNPC’s 60%, executed the drilling program as part of a strategic effort to unlock further potential within its legacy asset portfolio. Initial evaluations suggest the find could support a production capacity of over 15,000 barrels of oil per day, alongside substantial associated gas volumes.
The discovery is expected to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s efforts to meet its 2026 OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day. Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President of Upstream at NNPC Ltd, described the results as a validation of the current regulatory environment, stating, “This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act.” Similarly, NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari highlighted the find’s contribution to national energy security, noting that it aligns with the government’s priorities of increasing production and delivering sustainable value to the Federation.
Following the successful data acquisition and well-securing process, the joint venture partners are now moving toward a field development phase to fast-track the monetization of the resources. Industry experts observe that the proximity of Awodi-07 to existing shallow-water infrastructure will likely accelerate the timeline for “first oil,” providing a timely boost to Nigeria’s proven oil reserves, which currently stand at approximately 37.28 billion barrels. The find is also seen as a confidence booster for the western Niger Delta, signaling that mature shallow-water blocks still hold significant untapped value through advanced technical evaluation and collaboration.
