After months of uncertainty and technical setbacks, oil production at Benin’s Seme offshore field is now expected to begin by the end of January 2026.
Akrake Petroleum, an indirect subsidiary of Rex International, said on Monday, January 12, that it is closing in on first output following delays that pushed the project beyond its original end-2025 timeline.
The start of production hinges on the completion of drilling at the AK-2H production well. According to the company, work is set to begin early that week, with most of the heavy infrastructure already in place.
The Stella Energy 1 mobile offshore production unit and the Kristina floating storage and offloading vessel have both been deployed at the site in preparation for operations.
According to Ecofin Agency, the broader drilling programme includes the AK-1P exploration well, which is being used to assess deeper, previously untapped reservoirs beneath the field.
It also involves two horizontal production wells, AK-1H and AK-2H, both targeting the H6 reservoir, which is expected to anchor initial output.
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Progress on the project was slowed by geomechanical challenges caused by unstable shale layers above the reservoir.
These conditions triggered multiple technical incidents and forced drilling restarts. Akrake said newly acquired geomechanical data has since allowed engineers to fine-tune drilling parameters, helping crews safely navigate the most complex zones during the AK-2H drilling phase.
The update comes amid high expectations from Benin’s government and project partners, particularly after technical problems were disclosed in late December without a revised schedule.
By setting a late-January target, the operator is seeking to restore confidence and signal that the most critical operational hurdles have been identified and partly resolved.
Whether the deadline is met will depend on completing the AK-2H well without further major disruptions. If successful, initial production is expected to reach a plateau of around 15,000 barrels per day.
Data from the AK-1P exploration well could also reveal additional reserves at deeper levels, potentially extending the field’s lifespan and lifting output over the medium term.
Akrake Petroleum holds a 76 percent stake in the offshore block. The government of Benin owns 15 percent, while local firm Octogone Trading holds the remaining 9 percent.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
