NNPC, Sahara Group, Eroton unveil floating vessel to boost exports

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has partnered with Sahara Group, Eroton E&P, and Bilton Energy to commission the country’s first wholly owned floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel with a capacity of 2.2 million barrels.

According to a statement on Thursday, the vessel was designed to enhance oil and gas production and promote energy reliability, security, and sustainability in Nigeria.

“Christened Cawthorne, the FSO terminal is a world-class facility designed to enhance crude evacuation from Nigeria’s OML 18 and nearby assets,” the statement reads.

“OML 18 partners include Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Eroton E&P, OML Eighteen Energy Resource Ltd. (a Sahara Group Company) and Bilton Ltd.”

Commenting on the development, Udobong Ntia, the executive vice-president of upstream at the NNPC, representing Bashir Ojulari, NNPC’s group chief executive officer (GCEO), said the development marks another milestone from the partnership between NNPC and its joint venture (JV) partners that will guarantee seamless operations.

He added that it will boost the strategic targets set by President Bola Tinubu towards ensuring optimised upstream production in Nigeria.

On his part, Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the NUPRC, described the project as “a commendable achievement”.

Komolafe was represented by Enorense Amadasu, executive commissioner, development and production at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

“It aligns with the vision of the NUPRC towards accelerating production in the nation, reliably, seamlessly and sustainably,” he said.

Komolafe said the Cawthorne FSO will enhance Nigeria’s export reliability and contribute to a more stable global energy supply chain.

“This is a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of OML 18 and other strategic assets in the region,” he added.

Also speaking, Ibiyemi Asaolu, the managing director of Niger Delta Exploration and Production Offshore Limited (NEOL), said the milestone highlights what is possible when innovation, collaboration, and execution excellence align.

With FSO Cawthorne, he said “we are not only securing production continuity from OML 18 but also contributing to Nigeria’s long-term energy infrastructure and revenue stability”.

Also speaking, Tosin Etomi, head of commercial and planning at Asharami Energy, said the “Cawthorne FSO stands as a symbol of innovation meeting necessity”.

“It is not just a vessel, it’s an assurance of continuity, reliability, and value creation for our partners, our nation, and our people,” he said.

“This collaboration with the NNPC, NUPRC and other stakeholders, embodies the drive to turn complex energy challenges into sustainable solutions that power progress across Africa.”

Etomi said the vessel is fitted with digital capabilities, making it a vessel “built for the future, driving operational flexibility, reduction in carbon exposure from barge movements, and enhances overall evacuation safety”.

He said it is an investment in the resilience of the upstream sector and the environment.