NNPCL–Chevron Discover New Oil Well in Niger Delta, Ojulari Reacts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Chevron Nigeria Limited have discovered a new oil well in the Niger Delta, marking another addition to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resource base.

The discovery was made at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. The well is operated by Chevron under the NNPCL/Chevron Joint Venture.

NNPCL spokesperson, John Odey, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, describing it as a reflection of the long-standing collaboration between the two companies.

Reacting to the discovery, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, said the successful drilling of the Awodi-07 well supports Nigeria’s drive to grow its oil reserves and strengthen national energy security. He noted that the outcome aligns with the Joint Venture’s focus on responsible exploration and sustainable production.

Ojulari said the discovery reinforces the commitment of NNPCL and Chevron to increase oil output while delivering long-term value to the country.

Also commenting on the development, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, Udy Ntia, said the result demonstrates the benefits of sustained partnership, technical discipline, and a stable operating environment. He added that the discovery further validates the impact of reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act on investment and exploration activities.

Ntia said NNPCL would continue to work closely with Chevron to advance the Awodi-07 discovery toward development and commercialisation.

NNPCL explained that the Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing efforts to further delineate hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio. Drilling commenced in late November 2025 and was completed by mid-December 2025, with operations carried out safely and in compliance with regulatory and operational standards.

According to the company, preliminary results from the well confirm the presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, boosting confidence in the asset and the overall prospectivity of the area.

NNPCL added that the Joint Venture is targeting oil production of about 146,000 barrels per day, a move expected to increase government revenue, support job creation, and contribute to Nigeria’s energy supply.