ABUJA — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has issued tenders for two crude oil cargoes scheduled for September, including a shipment of Nigeria's relatively new Cawthorne crude grade and another cargo of Bonny Light, according to tender documents seen by Reuters. The development comes as Nigeria continues efforts to increase crude production and expand the range of grades available to international buyers. The Cawthorne cargo is scheduled to load on September 21 and 22 and will comprise approximately 950,000 barrels. NNPC is also offering a 950,000-barrel Bonny Light cargo scheduled to load between September 30 and October 1. Both cargoes are being offered on a free-on-board basis, meaning the buyer assumes responsibility for the crude once it is loaded onto the vessel at the designated export terminal. The tenders form part of Nigeria's continuing efforts to strengthen crude oil exports after years of production challenges caused by underinvestment, oil theft and operational disruptions. Crude oil remains one of Nigeria's most important sources of foreign exchange and government revenue, making the performance of the petroleum sector important to the wider economy. Cawthorne is among several newer Nigerian crude grades introduced as the country's oil industry seeks to increase production and offer international refiners additional options. The grade began exports earlier in 2026, joining other newer streams such as Nembe and Utapate. Diversifying Nigeria's crude export streams can help producers respond to different market requirements and potentially attract a broader range of buyers. Bonny Light, meanwhile, remains one of Nigeria's best-known export grades and is regularly traded in international markets. Preliminary loading information indicated that the Bonny Light production stream was expected to account for about 364,000 barrels per day across 12 cargoes. The latest tenders come amid heightened attention to global oil markets. Traders have been monitoring supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including developments affecting shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Such disruptions can influence crude prices and the relative attractiveness of different grades. Nigerian crude producers have therefore been operating in a market where international buyers are assessing both supply security and quality. Increasing production remains a major priority for Nigeria because output has been affected for years by theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure and insufficient investment. The Federal Government and oil companies have introduced measures aimed at improving security around production facilities and encouraging new investment. Higher output could strengthen export earnings and provide additional foreign exchange for the economy. The government has also sought to improve the operating environment in the petroleum sector through reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act and other policy measures. Greater regulatory certainty is expected to encourage investment in exploration, production and infrastructure. However, sustained production growth will depend on whether these reforms can address the operational and security problems that have constrained the industry. For international buyers, the availability of additional Nigerian cargoes provides another source of Atlantic Basin crude. For Nigeria, successful sales of the September shipments would contribute to export activity and reinforce the country's position as an important crude supplier. The tender process also provides an indication of the production and export volumes NNPC expects to bring to market in the coming months. As the bids are evaluated, market participants will continue watching international crude prices, shipping conditions and Nigeria's production levels. The latest offering therefore reflects both the immediate commercial activity of NNPC and the broader effort to restore Nigeria's oil production capacity and strengthen one of the country's most important sources of export revenue.