Nigeria’s efforts to increase crude oil production have received a significant boost following the growing output from two newly introduced crude grades, Utapate and Cawthorne.
Recent production figures show that the two crude streams contributed a combined 12.16 million barrels between January and May 2026, strengthening the country’s export capacity and supporting government efforts to improve oil revenues.
The Utapate blend accounted for the larger share, producing approximately 8.75 million barrels during the five-month period. The recently launched Cawthorne crude stream added another 3.41 million barrels, further expanding Nigeria’s portfolio of export-grade crude oil.
Production from the Utapate field has shown steady growth since the start of the year. Daily output rose from just over 55,000 barrels per day in January to more than 59,000 barrels per day by May, reflecting continued operational improvements and development activities at the field.
Despite the progress, production remains below the target of 80,000 barrels per day previously projected by operators. Current output levels are still more than 20,000 barrels per day short of that goal, highlighting the challenges of rapidly scaling production.
The Utapate crude blend was introduced to the international market in 2024 through a partnership involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited. Produced from Oil Mining Lease 13 in Akwa Ibom State, the crude has attracted interest from international buyers due to its low sulphur content and reduced carbon footprint.
Industry stakeholders view the addition of Utapate and Cawthorne as an important step in Nigeria’s drive to increase oil production, diversify export streams, and strengthen foreign exchange earnings.
With further investments and ongoing field development projects, operators remain optimistic that production capacity will continue to rise in the coming years, supporting the country’s broader energy and economic objectives.
