Abuja – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited confirmed a new oil discovery. This discovery was made in the Awodi-07 exploration and appraisal well. The well is located in the western Niger Delta. This development enhances Nigeria’s production capabilities. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer.
Business Africa platform reported the news. Chevron Nigeria Limited drilled the well. It was part of its joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. The drilling took place in a shallow offshore area. Operations confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in several reservoir layers.
Andy Odeh is the spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. He stated that the drilling operations are part of ongoing joint venture efforts. These efforts aim to expand evaluation. They also seek to exploit potential hydrocarbon resources within its asset portfolio.
The commercially extractable reserves from the well have not yet been announced. However, this discovery coincides with Nigeria’s efforts to solidify its oil production recovery. This recovery follows years of decline. The decline was due to oil theft, sabotage, and insufficient investment.
Oil production increased again, reaching approximately 1.7-1.8 million barrels per day in 2025. This allowed Nigeria to maintain its lead over Angola as Africa’s largest oil producer.
The recovery of Nigeria’s oil sector is not limited to exploration and production activities. It is also strengthened by notable developments in the refining sector. Foremost among these is the inauguration of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The refinery cost about $20 billion. It is the largest in Africa. This marks a radical shift in the country’s energy equation.
The refinery’s processing capacity is 650,000 barrels per day. This has allowed it to meet local market needs. It provides gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. It has also helped reduce reliance on costly fuel imports.
Analysts believe new discoveries, like the Awodi-07 well, boost supply prospects. This supports the transformation in the refining sector. It helps Nigeria retain more added value locally. This is instead of exporting crude oil and re-importing refined products.
The refinery alone is expected to save billions of dollars annually in foreign exchange. It will also achieve sustainable fuel supply stability within the country.