• Chevron confirms a new hydrocarbon discovery in Nigeria’s shallow offshore Niger Delta
• The Awodi-07 well identified oil and gas reservoirs, with volumes yet to be disclosed
• The find comes as Nigeria targets 2 million b/d of oil production by 2027

U.S. Chevron said it has made a new hydrocarbon discovery in Nigeria through its partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), following the successful drilling of the Awodi-07 well in the shallow offshore Niger Delta.

Local media reported on January 27 that the well encountered several hydrocarbon-bearing intervals, including both crude oil and natural gas. Drilling results point to the presence of exploitable reservoirs, although recoverable volumes have not yet been disclosed.

The discovery is part of ongoing exploration activity in the Niger Delta basin, a historically prolific oil and gas region. Chevron Nigeria Limited, the group’s local subsidiary and technical operator of the project, has not announced a final investment decision on developing the field.

The announcement comes as Nigerian authorities seek to raise national hydrocarbon output, currently around 1.5 million b/d, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The government aims to increase production to 2 million b/d by 2027.

Next steps will include additional technical studies to assess the commercial potential of the discovery and possible development options.

Chevron also confirmed it is strengthening its operations in Nigeria, at a time when several international oil companies have scaled back or exited the country. In 2023, Ecofin Agency reported that the US group formally denied rumors of a possible withdrawal.

Chevron operates in Nigeria mainly through its joint venture with NNPC Ltd, in which it holds a 40% interest. Its assets span shallow offshore and deepwater fields. The group holds stakes in several oil and gas blocks, including OML 90, 95, and 100, located in the Niger Delta and offshore Nigeria.

Its portfolio includes producing assets, mature fields, and exploration licenses. Chevron data show that its net production in Nigeria stood at about 122,000 b/d in 2024, including around 78,000 b/d from Niger Delta assets and nearly 44,000 b/d from the deepwater Agbami field.

Abdel-Latif Boureima