- Akrake Petroleum has relaunched drilling at Benin’s Sèmè oil field after 27 years of inactivity, targeting 15,000 barrels per day by year-end.
- The project could extend through deeper reserves and boost Benin’s energy independence.
Benin has relaunched production at the long-dormant Sèmè oil field off the coast of Sèmè-Kraké, marking a key step in the country’s energy strategy after a 25-year shutdown.
Akrake Petroleum, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Rex International Holding, resumed work at the field with a 120-day drilling campaign after leasing a mobile rig. The site, inactive since 1998, had produced nearly 22 million barrels before its closure.
Akrake Petroleum holds a 76% interest in the block, while the Beninese state owns 15% and Octogone Trading 9%. The partners plan to drill three new wells, install a production unit, and deploy a floating storage platform to handle processing and storage at sea.
According to operational forecasts, production could reach about 15,000 barrels per day by year-end. Data gathered during drilling will also help assess the potential of deeper geological layers that could extend the field’s lifespan and justify further technical investment.
Benin’s Minister of Water and Mines, Samou Séïdou Adambi, said in October that the government would back the project as part of its ambition to expand offshore oil extraction, reduce energy dependence, and boost international revenue.
The Sèmè redevelopment positions Benin more actively in the Gulf of Guinea’s oil sector, where neighbouring countries are moving to maximise offshore resources. Analysts say the project’s success will depend on future production volumes and their impact on the country’s economic stability.