The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has confirmed the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.

Chevron Nigeria Limited operates the asset under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, with the Awodi-07 well drilled as part of ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within the joint venture’s asset portfolio.

Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were completed in mid-December 2025. NNPC Ltd said all activities were executed safely and efficiently, in strict compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. Following extensive testing, logging and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, bringing the programme to a successful close.

The development was disclosed in a press release signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, and dated January 26, 2026.

According to the company, results from the Awodi-07 well confirmed a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, marking a notable milestone for the joint venture and reinforcing the prospectivity of the area.

NNPC Ltd described the outcome as a testament to disciplined exploration, robust technical evaluation and strong operational collaboration between both partners.

Commenting on the discovery, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for its performance.

“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, strengthening national energy security and delivering sustainable value for Nigerians.

Also reacting, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, said the results highlight the benefits of sustained collaboration and ongoing sector reforms.

“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 said.

“We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and advance it towards timely development and monetisation,” he added.

NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited operate under a joint venture arrangement covering several oil and gas assets in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, with Chevron holding a 40 per cent stake and NNPC Ltd owning the remaining 60 per cent.

Through the joint venture, the partners aim to ramp up oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, job creation and Nigeria’s energy supply.