The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced a successful discovery of hydrocarbons at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well, located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.
The well, operated jointly with Chevron Nigeria Limited under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, was drilled between late November and mid-December 2025.
In a statement released on January 26, 2026, NNPC Ltd confirmed that all drilling activities were conducted safely and complied fully with operational and regulatory standards.
Comprehensive testing and data analysis revealed a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, marking a major milestone for the Joint Venture.
Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, praised Chevron’s role in the project, saying, “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.”
He added that the discovery supports the company’s strategic goals of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value to Nigerians.
Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream at NNPC Ltd, highlighted the importance of collaboration and recent sector reforms.
“This discovery underscores the value of disciplined exploration, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Act,” Ntia said.
“We look forward to working with Chevron to advance this opportunity toward development and monetization.”
Chevron holds a 40 percent stake in the joint venture, with NNPC Ltd owning the remaining share.
The partnership aims to boost oil production to approximately 146,000 barrels per day, contributing to government revenue, job creation, and energy supply.
The Awodi-07 discovery reinforces confidence in the asset and the wider region’s prospectivity, reflecting effective technical evaluation and operational collaboration between the partners.
The joint venture plans to mature the discovery, with development and production scheduled to support Nigeria’s growing energy needs and economic growth.
