A new oil well has been discovered in Awodi-07, located in the shallow offshore area of the western Niger Delta. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd confirmed the discovery and commended Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for the successful drilling of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well. Chevron operates the asset under a joint venture arrangement with NNPC Ltd.
According to NNPC, the well was drilled as part of ongoing efforts by the joint venture to further assess and unlock hydrocarbon resources within its portfolio. Drilling activities began in late November 2025 and were completed by mid-December 2025. The company noted that all drilling, testing, and data-gathering operations were carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with approved regulatory and operational standards.
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Economic boost
Following extensive testing, logging, and technical evaluation, the well was safely secured, bringing the programme to a successful conclusion. Results from the evaluation were described as highly promising, confirming the presence of substantial hydrocarbon volumes across several reservoir intervals. NNPC said the outcome strengthens confidence in the asset and underscores the prospectivity of the western Niger Delta offshore area.
The discovery comes amid Nigeria’s broader push to harness its natural resources to support economic growth and energy security. While crude oil has long been central to Nigeria’s economy, oil-producing communities have continued to grapple with environmental challenges linked to hydrocarbon pollution. At the same time, Nigeria joined other countries in 2023 in committing to a gradual transition away from fossil fuels.
Despite this pledge, oil and gas development remains critical to stabilising the country’s economy and meeting energy demand. In recent years, the federal government has rolled out reforms aimed at revitalising the energy sector, improving investor confidence, and accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources. These efforts are anchored in policies such as the Petroleum Industry Act, the Electricity Act 2023, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060 while prioritising gas as a transition fuel.
Reacting to the Awodi-07 success, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron for its technical expertise and operational excellence, describing the discovery as aligned with NNPC’s strategy to grow reserves, boost production, and deliver long-term value to Nigerians. Similarly, Executive Vice President for Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the results demonstrate the benefits of disciplined exploration, strong partnerships, and regulatory reforms.
NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited jointly operate several assets in the Niger Delta, with Chevron holding a 40% stake and NNPC retaining 60%. The partnership aims to increase oil output to about 146,000 barrels per day, contributing to government revenue, job creation, and national energy supply.
