Deji Haarstrup, Chevron's general manager for policy, government and public affairs told Dow Jones Newswires the withdrawal was effective 31 July.

"The chairman, managing director of Chevron Nigeria, explained that the business decision to withdraw from OKLNG is based on a review of our investment portfolio, the lack of progress on the project and a reprioritization of resources to focus on growing domestic gas supply," Haarstrup said.

Haarstrup added that efforts over the last eight years to move the project forward have failed to result in a final investment decision.

The OKLNG project company originally comprised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, BG Group, Chevron and Shell.

A memorandum of understanding was originally signed in 2005 with an FID first expected in 2006, but which was consistently delayed.

The four-train, 22 million tonne-per annum facility had first been scheduled to come online as early as 2009 before being pushed back several times.

Haarstrup said that Shell also withdrew from the project last month, while BG Group left in June 2012.

A Shell spokesman in Nigeria declined to comment on whether the company has withdrawn from the project, the wire service said.

Nigeria's Vanguard has also reported that the two supermajors have quit the project, adding that NNPC staff and contractors were the only ones left on site.

Haarstrup said the NNPC has been informed of Chevron's decision to withdraw and the divestment process is being managed in accordance with provisions of the shareholders' agreement governing the project.

Chevron, he said, originally had a 19.5% equity holding in the project, but this increased to 22.74% after BG Group's withdrawal.

While Chevron has also been seeking to sell several blocks in Nigeria, Haarstrup reiterated the company's commitment to the country.