A successful appraisal and exploration campaign by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Chevron Nigeria Limited has confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta, boosting confidence in the asset and the wider prospectivity of the area.
The result follows the completion of the Awodi-07 well, drilled by Chevron Nigeria Limited as operator of the NNPC Ltd/Chevron Joint Venture. The well forms part of the JV’s broader strategy to further define and unlock hydrocarbon resources within its portfolio.
Drilling activities began in late November 2025 and were concluded by mid-December 2025. According to NNPC Ltd, the entire operation was executed safely and efficiently, in full compliance with approved regulatory and operational requirements.
In a statement dated January 26, 2026, and signed by NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company said post-drilling activities, including testing, logging and data acquisition, confirmed a significant hydrocarbon presence across multiple reservoir zones. The well was subsequently secured after the successful completion of the programme.
NNPC Ltd described the outcome as a key milestone for the joint venture, noting that it validates disciplined exploration practices, sound technical evaluation and effective collaboration between both partners.
Reacting to the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the Awodi-07 results provide a solid foundation for advancing the discovery toward development and commercialisation.
“We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and progress it towards timely development and monetisation,” Ojulari said, adding that the discovery aligns with NNPC Ltd’s drive to increase production, strengthen energy security and create sustainable value for Nigerians.
Under the joint venture arrangement, Chevron Nigeria Limited holds a 40 per cent stake, while NNPC Ltd retains the remaining interest. The partnership covers multiple oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta and is designed to pool expertise, capital and operational capacity.
The JV is targeting an increase in oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, in support of government revenue generation, employment and domestic energy supply.
Also commenting, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Udy Ntia, said the Awodi-07 outcome reflects the benefits of sustained collaboration and the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
According to him, the discovery highlights the value of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships and the positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Act on investment confidence and operational efficiency in the upstream sector.
