Nigeria Introduces Cawthorne Light Sweet Crude to Boost Exports and Strengthen OPEC Position
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has announced plans to begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade known as Cawthorne from March, signaling a gradual recovery in production from Africa’s largest oil exporter.
The launch of the new grade comes as Nigeria works to restore output levels that have been constrained for years by pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security challenges in key producing regions.
Since 2024, the country has introduced two additional crude grades as part of a broader strategy to optimize production streams and attract diverse buyers in global markets.
Exporters expect initial cargoes of Cawthorne crude to load by the third week of March. With an API gravity of 36.4, the new grade falls within the light, sweet category, similar in quality to Bonny Light.
This specification makes it attractive to refiners due to its strong yields of high-value products such as gasoline and diesel.
Nigeria’s production has been gradually rising toward its quota under OPEC, positioning the country to potentially argue for a higher production target within the group.
By expanding its crude slate and improving reliability of supply, Nigeria aims to strengthen its competitiveness in global oil markets while reinforcing its role within OPEC.
The introduction of Cawthorne reflects broader efforts to stabilise output, enhance revenue generation and rebuild investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector.
