Chevron Hits Another Offshore Find as Nigeria’s Oil Reforms Spark Fresh Exploration Wins
Story: written by Joseph January 26,2026
Nigeria’s drive to reset its oil and gas industry is beginning to yield results, as Chevron Nigeria Limited records its third successful hydrocarbon discovery since late 2024—another boost for Africa’s largest crude producer after years of muted investment.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)/Chevron Nigeria Limited joint venture confirmed the completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta on December 28. Drilling results revealed about 675 feet of net hydrocarbon pay across several reservoirs.
Drilled to a total depth of 12,420 feet in under three weeks, the well has been safely plugged and suspended following wireline logging and fluid sampling. Findings include 310 feet of appraisal pay in line with pre-drill forecasts, alongside 365 feet spread across six oil-bearing exploration sands—opening up strong development prospects in an area already supported by existing infrastructure, which could fast-track production.
Chevron Nigeria’s Chairman and Managing Director, Jim Swartz, said the outcome reflects the robustness of the company’s exploration strategy and the benefits of working closely with NNPCL, noting that collaboration remains central to sustained success.
The discovery also highlights a broader industry turnaround following the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which simplified fiscal frameworks and regulatory processes that previously discouraged long-term investment.
Chevron’s Vice President for Exploration, Kevin McLachlan, added that the new finds align with the company’s global exploration focus, combining infrastructure-led opportunities with frontier prospects to strengthen its long-term portfolio.
