The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas development efforts. The well is located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta and is operated under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture.
The achievement is being viewed as a strong affirmation of the joint venture’s technical capacity and long-term strategy to responsibly grow Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves while supporting national energy security and economic development.
Commenting on the success, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for what he described as consistent operational excellence and technical competence.
“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.”
Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd
He noted that the outcome aligns closely with NNPC Ltd’s strategic priorities, including boosting oil production, strengthening national energy security, and delivering long-term value to Nigerians.
Drilling Programme Executed Safely and Efficiently
The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the joint venture’s ongoing exploration and appraisal programme aimed at further delineating hydrocarbon potential within its existing asset portfolio. Drilling operations began in late November 2025 and were concluded by mid-December 2025.
According to NNPC Ltd, the programme was executed safely and efficiently, with all activities carried out in strict adherence to approved operational procedures and regulatory standards. Following drilling, the well underwent comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition to fully evaluate its potential.
After the completion of these technical assessments, the well was safely secured, bringing the Awodi-07 drilling campaign to a successful close.
Preliminary results from the Awodi-07 well have been described as highly encouraging. Data obtained from the drilling and testing programme confirmed the presence of significant hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones.
This outcome represents a major boost for the joint venture, strengthening confidence in the underlying asset and reinforcing the geological prospectivity of the area.
Industry observers note that such results validate the value of disciplined exploration and careful technical evaluation in mature but still promising basins like the Niger Delta.
NNPC Ltd said the success of Awodi-07 underscores the effectiveness of strong operational collaboration between the national oil company and its international partner.
Impact of Petroleum Industry Act
Also reacting to the milestone, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the Awodi-07 results as a clear demonstration of what sustained collaboration and technical rigour can deliver in a stable operating environment.
“This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act.”
Mr. Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd
He expressed optimism about the next steps, indicating that NNPC Ltd looks forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature the discovery.
NNPC Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited operate under a joint venture agreement that manages several oil and gas assets across Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Under the arrangement, Chevron holds a 40 percent participating interest, while NNPC Limited owns the remaining 60 percent.
This partnership allows both companies to pool resources, technical expertise, and investment capital to develop Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources more efficiently and responsibly.
The Awodi-07 success further highlights the value of this collaborative model, particularly at a time when Nigeria is seeking to maximise output from existing assets.
Strengthening Confidence in Nigeria’s Upstream
Through the joint venture’s ongoing activities, NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited aim to increase oil production to approximately 146,000 barrels per day. Achieving this target would have significant implications for government revenue, employment creation, and national energy supply.
In the context of Nigeria’s broader economic reforms and upstream sector revitalisation, the Awodi-07 discovery is being seen as a positive signal to investors.
As Nigeria continues to implement reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, successful projects such as Awodi-07 are reinforcing confidence in the country’s upstream potential.
For NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited, the well’s success is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic win that supports long-term production growth.
With plans now expected to focus on development and monetisation, the Awodi-07 well stands as a reminder that targeted exploration, strong partnerships, and regulatory stability can still unlock meaningful opportunities in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
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