By: Ecofin agency

Benin's campaign to reactivate the Sèmè oilfield has officially begun, a move that will restore the nation's status as an oil producer after nearly three decades.

The start of the drilling operations, which was first announced in April, was confirmed Tuesday by specialized industry news outlets. Located offshore near Sèmè-Kraké, the field has been dormant since 1998, after producing an estimated 22 million barrels of oil.

The project is led by Akrake Petroleum, a subsidiary of Rex International Holding, which holds a 76% stake in the block. The Beninese state holds 15% and Octogone Trading holds the remaining 9%. The current work involves drilling three new wells and installing a production unit and a storage platform to extract, treat, and store oil at sea.

This effort aligns with the government's stated political goal to get the Sèmè field back into production this year. In October, Benin's Minister of Water and Mines, Samou Seidou Adambi, said the government would "do everything possible to begin extracting black gold from Benin's deep waters."

According to Akrake's forecasts, the new facilities are expected to be operational by the end of 2025. Initial production is projected to reach approximately 15,000 barrels per day. The data gathered will also allow for the evaluation of deeper geological layers, which could extend the field's lifespan and boost production in the medium term.