- Emadeb Petroleum E&P began commercial production at its 103-million-barrel Ibom Field in PPL 236, offshore Nigeria.
- Phase Two will add two wells, tripling output by Q4 2026, thereby enhancing local job opportunities and energy security.
Emadeb Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited started commercial crude oil production from its Ibom Field in PPL 236. The company announced the milestone on Sunday, November 16.
The offshore field, situated approximately 30 kilometres from the shoreline, commenced production in October following years of investment, engineering work, and regulatory approvals. Emadeb, one of the winners of the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round, spent over $100 million on a phased development programme for the field, initially discovered in 1979 and estimated to hold 103 million barrels of oil in place.
Key technical milestones included the completion of the Ibom-03 well in September 2023, integration of a Mobile Producing Offshore Unit in June 2025, and commissioning of a mooring system in September 2025.
“This milestone reflects our deep commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential through homegrown expertise, strong partnerships, and disciplined investment,” said Adebowale Olujimi, CEO of Emadeb E&P. He added that the company plans a Phase Two development involving two additional wells to triple production by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Furthermore, industry analysts noted that the project highlights the growing role of local operators in Nigeria’s upstream sector, as the government seeks to increase production to meet OPEC quotas and stabilise foreign exchange earnings.
Average Nigerian crude output rose slightly to 1.401 million barrels per day in October, still below its OPEC quota of about 1.5 million barrels per day, according to the latest OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report. Emadeb’s Ibom Field is emerging as an early example of reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, enabling indigenous companies to make significant contributions to national production.