The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. Chevron operates the asset under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture.
The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential across its portfolio. Drilling began in late November 2025 and concluded safely in mid-December 2025, with all operations carried out efficiently and in full compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards.
Following comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was safely secured. Results confirmed significant hydrocarbon presence across multiple reservoir zones, marking a notable milestone for the Joint Venture and reinforcing confidence in the prospectivity of the area.
In a press statement dated 26 January 2026, Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, highlighted the achievement as evidence of the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, sound technical evaluation, and strong operational collaboration between the partners.
Ojulari hails development
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, commended Chevron 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,” he said.
Ojulari added, “This achievement aligns squarely with our strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”
Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Udy Ntia, described the results as evidence of the benefits of sustained collaboration and sector reforms. “This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Act,” he said.
Ntia added, “We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and progress it towards timely development and monetisation.”
Under the Joint Venture, Chevron holds a 40 per cent interest in the asset, while NNPC Ltd retains 60 per cent. The partnership is designed to leverage combined resources, expertise, and investment to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. Through the Joint Venture, the partners aim to increase oil production to approximately 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, job creation, and national energy supply.
