Nigeria’s efforts to increase crude oil production and strengthen oil export earnings are receiving support from two relatively new crude oil grades, Utapate and Cawthorne. The two blends have contributed more than 12 million barrels of crude oil to the country’s output between January and May 2026, according to production data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The figures show that Utapate produced about 8.75 million barrels during the five-month period, while Cawthorne added approximately 3.41 million barrels. Together, both grades delivered around 12.16 million barrels, helping Nigeria improve its overall oil production and export performance.
Utapate, which began production in May 2024, has steadily increased output over the past year. The field recorded an average daily production of 55,190 barrels in January 2026. Production continued to rise through the following months, reaching a peak of 59,290 barrels per day in April before slightly declining to 59,170 barrels per day in May.
Despite this steady growth, Utapate has not yet reached the production target set by its operators. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) had projected that the field would achieve 80,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025. Current production remains more than 20,000 barrels below that goal.
Industry officials had expressed confidence that ongoing development projects would help raise production levels. The field’s operators planned gradual increases from 40,000 barrels per day to eventually reach the 80,000-barrel target. While progress has been made, the latest figures indicate that more work is needed to achieve the planned output level.
The Utapate crude blend has attracted attention in the international market due to its high quality. Produced from Oil Mining Lease 13 in Akwa Ibom State, the crude has a low sulphur content and a reduced carbon footprint because of efforts to eliminate gas flaring. These features make it attractive to international buyers seeking cleaner and more efficient crude grades.
Meanwhile, the newer Cawthorne crude blend has shown impressive growth since its introduction. Daily production increased from 12,340 barrels in January to nearly 31,000 barrels per day in April before easing slightly in May. The steady rise demonstrates growing operational capacity and increasing contributions to national output.
NNPC recently announced the successful export of the first Cawthorne cargo. The shipment, carried aboard the MT Eburones vessel to the Netherlands, marked an important milestone for the new crude grade. The company described the development as part of its broader strategy to expand Nigeria’s range of exportable crude products and strengthen its position in the global energy market.
According to NNPC, Cawthorne is classified as a light, sweet crude similar to Bonny Light. This quality makes it highly valuable because it produces strong yields of petrol and diesel during refining.
The growing contribution of both Utapate and Cawthorne highlights Nigeria’s commitment to diversifying its crude oil export portfolio and increasing revenue from the energy sector. While challenges remain in meeting ambitious production targets, the two crude grades are already making a significant contribution to national output.
Their impact comes at a time when Nigeria’s oil industry is showing signs of recovery. In May 2026, the country exceeded its OPEC production quota by producing over 1.53 million barrels of crude oil per day. When condensate production is included, total oil output reached approximately 1.7 million barrels daily, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer and supporting efforts to boost foreign exchange earnings.
