Lagos, May 11, 2025 – Conoil Trading, a subsidiary of Conoil Plc, has blazed the trail as the first oil company to commence the export of Nigeria’s newest crude oil Obodo blend, to the international market.
Nigeria launched Obodo, a medium sweet crude, in April 2025 to expand the country’s oil portfolio.
It is extracted from the onshore OML 150 block and developed under a production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Its first shipment by Conoil was facilitated by Oando Trading, the trading arm of Oando Group, led by Wale Tinubu, aboard the vessel Atlantic Spirit.
The operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of Century Ports and Terminals, which facilitated the loading process via the Tamara Tokoni, a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Oando Trading announced the commencement of the crude shipment in a statement on Friday.
Wale Tinubu, the Chief Executive of Oando Group, announced the breakthrough in a video posted on the X handle of the group.
The statement said Atlantic Spirit tanker from Oando’s fleet successfully carried out the first international export of the Obodo blend under the supervision of Century Ports and Terminals.
“In an historic milestone, Oando Trading, a subsidiary of Oando Group under the leadership wale Tinubu, the group executive of Oando Plc became the first to purchase and lift Obodo crude.
“The Atlantic spirit tanker from Oando’s fleet carried out offtake under supervision of Century Ports and Terminals making the 1st international export of the Obodo blend.
“A crucial enabler of this export was Century Ports and Terminals. The Obodo crude was stored unloaded through the FPSO Tamaratokani, a floating storage and offloading vessel operated by Century Ports and Terminals.
“In a country resilient in its pursuit of raising oil output by an additional 1 million barrels per day. Homegrown players like Oando Trading, NNPC Ltd, Conoil and Century Group are at the forefront.
“This moment reflects more than market movement. It reflects momentum. This isn’t just a trade, it’s a message. The message Nigeria’s energy industry is ready, capable and rising one historic barrel at a time,” it said.
Tinubu described the development as a breakthrough, saying indigenous energy companies were rewriting Nigeria’s energy story with power, purpose, and pride.
“This isn’t just progress — it’s a breakthrough. Congratulations to Dr Mike Adenuga and the entire Conoil team for successfully producing Obodo Crude, Nigeria’s newest medium sweet crude grade blend.
“Hats off to Century Group as well, for making history as the country’s leading indigenous FPSO operator.
“We’re honored to have played a part in this chapter of your story by lifting the first cargo for international export on board the Atlantic Spirit, a bold leap for indigenous excellence on the global energy stage. Here’s to many more milestones. The future is now,” he said.
