BREAKING: NNPC Discovers New Oil Well With Massive Crude Deposits

The national oil company disclosed the development in a statement released on Monday by its spokesperson, Andy Odeh. The Awodi-07 well is situated in the shallow offshore area of the western Niger Delta and was drilled as part of ongoing efforts by the joint venture to further define and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio.

NNPC explained that drilling activities began in late November 2025 and were completed by mid-December 2025, noting that operations were carried out safely, efficiently and in full compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. Following comprehensive testing, logging and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, marking the successful conclusion of the drilling programme.

The company stated that results from the Awodi-07 well were highly encouraging, confirming the presence of significant hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones. It described the outcome as a major milestone for the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, strengthening confidence in the asset and reaffirming the exploration potential of the area.

NNPC added that the success highlights the impact of disciplined exploration, robust technical evaluation and effective collaboration between joint venture partners. The company operates several oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta through its partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited, under which Chevron holds a 40 per cent interest while NNPC Limited retains the remaining stake.

According to the national oil company, the collaboration is aimed at increasing oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, with expected benefits including higher government revenue, job creation and improved national energy supply.

Reacting to the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational efficiency and technical expertise. He said the success of the Awodi-07 well further demonstrates the strength of the joint venture and reflects a shared commitment to responsibly expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.

Ojulari added that the achievement aligns with NNPC’s strategic objectives of boosting production, strengthening national energy security and delivering sustainable value to Nigerians.

Also commenting, the Executive Vice-President, Upstream, NNPC Limited, Udy Ntia, described the Awodi-07 results as evidence of the benefits of sustained collaboration and strong technical discipline. He noted that the discovery reinforces the importance of structured exploration programmes, effective partnerships and the positive outcomes of reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act, adding that NNPC would continue working closely with Chevron to advance the discovery toward timely development and monetisation.