Nigeria Launches First Fully-Owned FSO Vessel, “Cawthorne”!

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Reported by Amos Dachung | Sele Media Africa

In a landmark development for Nigeria’s oil sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), in partnership with Sahara Group, Eroton E&P and Bilton Energy, has officially commissioned the country’s first completely Nigerian‑owned Floating Storage & Offloading (FSO) vessel, christened FSO Cawthorne. [1]

The vessel, with a storage capacity of 2.2 million barrels, will be stationed offshore *Bonny, serving as a key infrastructure to receive, store, and offload crude from OML 18 and neighbouring assets. [2]

Objectives & Strategic Importance

• By bypassing pipelines, the FSO aims to reduce dependence on onshore evacuation routes, which are vulnerable to vandalism and theft. [1]
• It is part of Nigeria’s drive to strengthen crude export logistics, boost production assurance, and improve export reliability. [1]
• The conversion from a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) into a double‑hull FSO involved extensive modifications, advanced digital controls, and modern mooring systems. [2] Stakeholders & Vision

NNPCL holds a 55% stake in OML 18, working jointly with Sahara Group, Eroton E&P, and Bilton Energy. [1]
At the unveiling, NNPC’s upstream executive and other officials touted the vessel as a “renewed hope” for Nigeria’s upstream sector, aligning with national goals for energy security and export stability. [2]

What It Means for Nigeria

• The FSO is expected to unlock more efficient crude evacuation and reduce losses from pipeline disruptions.
• It strengthens Nigeria’s position in global oil trade by bolstering internal capacity rather than relying solely on external infrastructure.
• This project marks a shift toward greater local ownership and control of vital energy infrastructure. Citations:

1. Reuters: www.reuters.com/business/energy/nigeria-commissions-first-wholly-owned-floating-vessel-boost-oil-output-exports-2025-10-08/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. ThisDayLive: www.thisdaylive.com/2025/10/09/history-as-nnpc-sahara-group-eroton-unveil-first-wholly-nigerian-fso-oil-vessel-in-50-years/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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