By Peter Omopo
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore area of the western Niger Delta.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Andy Odeh, the company said the Awodi-07 well was drilled under the NNPCL/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture as part of ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within the asset portfolio.
According to the statement, drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were concluded by mid-December 2025, with all activities carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards.
The statement noted that following comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, marking the successful completion of the programme.
Results from the Awodi-07 well were described as highly encouraging, confirming a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones. The development was said to represent a major milestone for the joint venture, strengthening confidence in the asset and reinforcing the overall prospectivity of the area.
Commenting on the achievement, Engr. Ojulari praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational excellence, technical competence, and consistent value delivery. He said the success of the Awodi-07 well underscores the strength of the NNPCL/CNL partnership and aligns with NNPCL’s strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value to Nigerians.
“The success of the Awodi-07 well further reinforces our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves,” Ojulari said.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the milestone as a clear demonstration of the benefits of sustained collaboration, technical rigour, and a stable operating environment. He added that the discovery highlights the importance of disciplined exploration programmes and the positive impact of reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act.
Ntia expressed optimism that the joint venture would work closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to advance the discovery toward timely development and monetisation.
The statement further disclosed that NNPCL and Chevron Nigeria Limited operate several oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta under a joint venture arrangement, with Chevron holding a 40 per cent stake and NNPCL owning the remaining interest.
Through the partnership, both companies aim to combine resources, expertise, and investment to increase oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, a move expected to boost government revenue, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy supply.
