• Chevron
• NNPC
• Oil Well

NNPC, CHEVRON RECORD MAJOR OIL DISCOVERY AT AWODI-07 WELL

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  Caroline Ameh / 1 week
• 0
• 3 min read

Efforts to boost Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves have received a significant lift following the confirmation of a hydrocarbon discovery at the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. The discovery was announced in a statement released on Monday afternoon in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Andy Odeh. According to the statement, the Awodi-07 well, operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, was drilled as part of the joint venture’s ongoing exploration and appraisal programme aimed at further delineating reserves and unlocking additional hydrocarbon potential across its asset portfolio. Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were successfully completed in mid-December 2025. NNPC Ltd noted that the drilling campaign was carried out safely and efficiently, in full compliance with approved operational procedures and regulatory requirements. The operation was conducted under the oversight of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in line with applicable upstream petroleum regulations. Following the completion of drilling activities, the well underwent comprehensive logging, testing, and data acquisition to evaluate reservoir characteristics. After these processes, the well was safely secured.NNPC Ltd said data obtained from the Awodi-07 well would be submitted to the NUPRC for detailed technical review as part of the post-drilling regulatory process. Results from the well confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones, which the company described as encouraging and a significant milestone for the joint venture. The discovery further strengthens confidence in the asset and reinforces the prospectivity of the shallow offshore western Niger Delta. Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the success of the Awodi-07 well underscores the strength of the partnership between NNPC Ltd and Chevron Nigeria Limited and aligns with national efforts to grow Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves. Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, said the results demonstrate the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, sound technical evaluation, and sustained collaboration between joint venture partners. Under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), discoveries such as Awodi-07 are required to progress through a structured appraisal and development process. This includes further reservoir evaluation, submission of field development plans, and securing regulatory approvals from the NUPRC before any final investment decision is made. Industry sources disclosed that the NNPC Ltd/Chevron Joint Venture is expected to review data from the Awodi-07 well to determine the scope of additional appraisal drilling and assess its commercial viability. Subject to regulatory approvals, the discovery could be matured towards full-scale development and eventual monetisation. The NNPC Ltd/Chevron Joint Venture operates several onshore and offshore oil and gas assets in Nigeria’s Niger Delta under a joint venture arrangement in which Chevron holds a 40 per cent participating interest, while NNPC Ltd owns the remaining 60 per cent. The partners are targeting an increase in oil production to approximately 146,000 barrels per day, a development expected to support government revenue, job creation, and Nigeria’s energy supply.