Shell has been selected to export the inaugural shipment of crude oil from the Sèmè oil field located in Benin. Akrake Petroleum Benin confirmed the selection of the company for this operation, marking the first time the field has moved production to international markets. Officials confirmed the selection process concluded on 29 October 2026. This export represents a significant development for the site, which remains the primary focus of offshore extraction efforts in the country. Shell will manage the logistics for transporting the crude from the Sèmè facility to its final destination.
The selection process involving Shell was finalized following a series of internal assessments conducted by the project stakeholders. By choosing Shell, Akrake Petroleum Benin aims to leverage established international logistics networks to facilitate the movement of the initial crude output from the Sèmè oil field. The specific logistical framework involves the coordination of maritime transport protocols, which Shell will oversee to ensure the crude reaches its designated international port. This shipment serves as a milestone for the Sèmè oil field, acting as a functional test for the site’s newly reactivated export infrastructure.
Resumption of Field Operations
Production at the Sèmè oil field was suspended in 1998 and resumed in 2026. The site remained dormant for twenty-eight years before extraction activities recommenced this year.
Akrake Petroleum Benin serves as the current operator of the Sèmè oil field. The company maintains responsibility for the ongoing management of the offshore extraction infrastructure.
The reactivation of the Sèmè oil field required extensive technical upgrades to the existing offshore platforms and subsea extraction equipment. Throughout 2026, Akrake Petroleum Benin focused on restoring the operational capacity of the site to meet industry standards for safety and production efficiency. The resumption of activities at the Sèmè oil field is a result of these restorative efforts, which have allowed for the transition from a dormant state to active resource extraction. As the current operator of the Sèmè oil field, Akrake Petroleum Benin manages the daily extraction operations and the maintenance of the physical assets located at the site.
Akrake Petroleum Benin must renegotiate the terms of the deposit's development to continue operations. Future activities at the site remain contingent upon the successful conclusion of these discussions regarding the development framework.
These negotiations regarding the development framework are essential for the long-term viability of the Sèmè oil field. Akrake Petroleum Benin is currently engaged in discussions to establish the parameters that will govern the future phases of production. The outcome of these talks will determine the operational scope for the extraction of remaining reserves at the Sèmè oil field. Until these terms are finalized, the project remains in a transitional phase where the focus remains on the initial export shipment managed by Shell and the stabilization of the current production output. The ongoing management of the offshore extraction infrastructure by Akrake Petroleum Benin remains the central component of the project's current operational phase.
