Benin to Resume Offshore Oil Production in 2026 as Seme Oilfield Returns to Operation
Oil production is set to resume off the coast of Benin for the first time in nearly three decades, as the West African nation prepares to bring the long-dormant Seme oilfield back into operation by the end of January 2026.
The restart marks a significant milestone for a country that last produced crude in 1998, when low oil prices and technical challenges forced the field’s closure.
The Seme oilfield is operated by Akrake Petroleum, indirectly owned by Singapore-based Rex International Holding. The company said production will commence once drilling of the AK-2H development well is completed.
Key offshore infrastructure has already been deployed and upgraded, including the mobile offshore production unit Stella Energy 1 and the floating storage and offloading vessel Kristina, both of which are now on site and ready to process and export crude.
Located in Block 1 offshore Benin, the Seme field was originally discovered in 1969 and produced oil between 1982 and 1998. During that period, it yielded a total of 22 million barrels before operations were suspended.
The current redevelopment programme, launched in August 2025, includes a multi-well drilling campaign aimed at stabilising production and extending the field’s productive life.
The return of oil production in Benin comes as offshore West Africa attracts renewed interest from international energy companies.
While Nigeria remains the region’s largest producer, smaller coastal states are increasingly drawing upstream investment as companies seek new reserves close to established export routes.
Although technical challenges delayed first oil from late 2025 into early 2026, the Seme project is being closely watched as a test case for reviving mature offshore fields across the Gulf of Guinea.
Success at Seme could demonstrate how previously abandoned discoveries can be reactivated using modern drilling techniques and more efficient operating models.
This development aligns with a broader resurgence in West Africa’s offshore energy sector. New liquefied natural gas exports have emerged in the region, while countries such as Angola and Namibia continue to attract strong exploration interest from international oil majors.
Against this backdrop, Benin’s modest but symbolically important return to offshore oil production reinforces West Africa’s expanding role in global energy supply and highlights the region’s potential for unlocking value from mature hydrocarbon assets.
