NNPC Confirms Major Hydrocarbon Discovery at Awodi-07 Offshore Well
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has confirmed a successful discovery of hydrocarbons at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well, located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. The announcement comes as part of the ongoing NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture operations.
The well, operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited under the joint venture arrangement, was drilled to further assess and unlock hydrocarbon potential within the company’s asset portfolio. Drilling began in late November 2025 and was successfully concluded by mid-December 2025.
According to a statement released by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC Ltd, all operations were conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. Comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition confirmed a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, marking the well as a notable milestone for the joint venture.
NNPC highlighted that the discovery demonstrates the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, strong technical evaluation, and seamless operational collaboration between the two partners.
Commenting on the development, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its performance. He said, “The success of Awodi-07 reinforces the strength of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture and our shared commitment to responsibly expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves. This aligns with our strategic goals of increasing production, enhancing energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”
Also weighing in, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Udy Ntia, noted that the discovery reflects the positive impact of sustained collaboration and recent sector reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act. Ntia added, “This achievement underlines the importance of disciplined exploration, strong partnerships, and technical excellence. We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity for timely development and monetisation.”
The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture operates multiple oil and gas fields across the Niger Delta, with Chevron holding a 40% interest and NNPC Ltd owning the remaining share. The partnership combines expertise, investment, and resources to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas assets efficiently.
Through the venture, the partners aim to boost oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, national energy supply, and job creation. This latest discovery strengthens confidence in the area’s prospectivity and underscores Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to expanding its hydrocarbon resources.
