The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has commended Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) following the discovery of a new oil well in the Niger Delta.
The discovery was made at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta and is operated by Chevron under the NNPCL/Chevron Joint Venture.
NNPCL spokesperson, John Odey, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, describing it as a milestone that underscores the strength of the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Ojulari said the success of the Awodi-07 well represents a significant boost to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon development drive and reinforces the Joint Venture’s commitment to responsibly growing the nation’s oil and gas reserves.
“The success of the Awodi-07 well further reinforces the strength of the NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves,” Ojulari said.
“This achievement aligns with our strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”
Also reacting, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, described the discovery as proof of the benefits of sustained collaboration, technical discipline and a stable operating environment.
Ntia noted that the outcome highlights the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships and the positive impact of reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He added that NNPCL would work closely with Chevron to advance the discovery toward timely development and monetisation.
NNPCL explained that the Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio.
Drilling commenced in late November 2025 and was completed by mid-December 2025, with all operations carried out safely and in compliance with approved regulatory and operational standards.
According to the company, results from the well are highly encouraging, confirming the presence of significant hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones. The Joint Venture aims to ramp up production to about 146,000 barrels per day, a move expected to boost government revenue, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s overall energy supply.