The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commended Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, and dated January 26, 2026.
According to the statement, drilling of the Awodi-07 well commenced in late November 2025 and was concluded in mid-December 2025, with operations carried out safely and in line with approved regulatory and operational standards.
It noted that comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition confirmed a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, reinforcing the prospectivity of the area and strengthening confidence in the asset.
Odeh said the discovery reflects the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, sound technical evaluation, and strong operational collaboration between the joint venture partners.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its 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,” Ojulari said.
He added that the achievement aligns with the company’s strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for Nigerians.
Also speaking in the statement, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the results as proof of the value of sustained collaboration and technical rigour.
“This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act,” Ntia stated.
He said NNPC Ltd looks forward to working closely with Chevron to advance the project towards timely development and monetisation.
The statement explained that both companies operate under a joint venture arrangement in which Chevron holds 40 per cent equity, while NNPC Ltd retains the remaining share.
It added that the partnership aims to boost oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, support government revenue, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy supply.
NNPC Ltd reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strategic partnerships that promote growth, innovation, and long-term value in the nation’s oil and gas sector.