NNPC, Chevron Confirm Major Oil Discovery at Awodi‑07 Well

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd) has announced a successful oil discovery at the Awodi‑07 well, located in the shallow offshore area of the western Niger Delta.

This marks a significant achievement for Nigeria’s oil industry, showing that the country still has substantial untapped oil resources.

The well was drilled by a partnership between NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

Drilling began in late November 2025 and was safely completed by mid-December. Early tests show that the well contains considerable amounts of oil in several underground layers, giving hope for increased production in the region.

Leaders Praise the Discovery

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended Chevron for its technical expertise and the strength of the joint venture.

According to Nigerianeye, Ojulari said “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.”

Reports further mentioned Udy Ntia, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Upstream Operations, added that this achievement reflects the benefits of strong collaboration, modern technology, and recent reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

She says “This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act,”

The improvement therefore aims to attract more investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He commented on the discovery as an opportunity to boost revenue. Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari stated further .

“We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and progress it towards timely development and monetisation,” 

Why This Matters for Nigeria

This discovery comes at a time when Nigeria is working to increase oil production and strengthen energy security.

The NNPC/Chevron partnership plans to boost output to about 146,000 barrels per day, which would bring more revenue to the government, create jobs, and support overall economic growth.

Industry experts say the find is a confidence booster for Nigeria’s offshore oil operations, and it could encourage further exploration and investment in the Niger Delta, helping the country maintain its position as Africa’s top oil producer.