NNPC and Chevron Nigeria mark Awodi-07 well success in Niger Delta, confirming hydrocarbons and boosting national energy prospects

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

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

The well, operated under the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, was drilled to further delineate hydrocarbon potential within the asset portfolio.

Drilling began in late November 2025 and concluded in mid-December 2025, with all operations conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and operational standards.

Testing, logging, and data acquisition confirmed the presence of significant hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, marking a milestone for the Joint Venture.

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

Commenting on the development, NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, praised 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 milestone aligns with strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value to Nigerians.

Mr. Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, also highlighted the role of sector reforms and strong partnerships in the discovery.

“This success underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes and the positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Act reforms. We look forward to progressing this opportunity toward timely development and monetisation,” Ntia said.

The NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture operates several oil and gas fields in the Niger Delta, with Chevron holding a 40 per cent stake and NNPC Ltd owning the remaining share.

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The partnership combines resources, expertise, and investment to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, aiming to increase oil production to roughly 146,000 barrels per day, supporting government revenue, job creation, and national energy supply.