The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has confirmed the successful discovery of a new oil well following the completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well by Chevron Nigeria Limited in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.
Chevron Nigeria Limited operates the asset under a joint venture arrangement with NNPC Ltd. The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of ongoing efforts by the partnership to further define and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio.
Drilling activities began in late November 2025 and were concluded by mid-December 2025. According to NNPC Ltd, all operations were carried out safely and efficiently, in full compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. After extensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, marking the successful completion of the programme.
In a press release dated January 26, 2026, and signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, the company disclosed that results from the Awodi-07 well confirmed a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones.
NNPC Ltd described the development as a major milestone for the joint venture, noting that it strengthens confidence in the asset and further confirms the exploration potential of the area. The company added that the outcome reflects the benefits of disciplined exploration, sound technical evaluation, and strong operational collaboration between both partners.
Reacting to the discovery, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, praised Chevron Nigeria Limited for its performance, describing the success of the Awodi-07 well as a boost to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon growth ambitions.
“The success of the Awodi-07 well reinforces the strength of the NNPC Ltd/Chevron joint venture and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves,” Ojulari said, adding that the achievement aligns with the company’s priorities of increasing production, improving energy security, and delivering long-term value to Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, said the discovery highlights the benefits of sustained collaboration and the positive impact of reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. He noted that both partners would work closely to advance the project towards timely development and monetisation.
Under the joint venture agreement, Chevron Nigeria Limited holds a 40 per cent stake, while NNPC Ltd owns the remaining interest. The partnership aims to boost oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day to support government revenue, job creation, and Nigeria’s energy needs.
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