NIGERIA: Chevron Successfully Completes the Awodi-07 Appraisal and Exploration Well
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has recorded a significant hydrocarbon discovery following the successful drilling and evaluation of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.
The Awodi-07 well, drilled under the NNPC Ltd/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture, was executed as part of Chevron’s ongoing exploration and appraisal programme aimed at expanding and de-risking its asset portfolio in Nigeria. Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were concluded in mid-December 2025, with all activities carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and operational standards.
Comprehensive well testing, logging, and data acquisition have confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir intervals, marking a notable discovery and reinforcing the prospectivity of the Awodi structure and its surrounding acreage. The well has since been safely secured following the successful completion of the programme.
The discovery represents an important milestone for Chevron Nigeria Limited and the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, strengthening confidence in the asset base and underscoring the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, robust 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, congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational excellence and technical competence, noting that the success of Awodi-07 reflects the value of sustained investment in frontier and brownfield exploration.
“The Awodi-07 discovery reinforces the strength of our partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves. It aligns with our strategic objectives of increasing production, enhancing energy security, and delivering long-term value to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Also commenting, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the Awodi-07 discovery as a strong validation of disciplined exploration and an enabling operating environment.
“This discovery highlights the importance of technical rigour, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Act reforms. We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to further appraise the find and progress it towards development and monetisation,” he stated.
The Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well is located in PPL 263, a petroleum prospecting licence area in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta that was excised from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 90.