Benin has taken a significant step toward bringing the long-idle Sèmè oil field back into production, completing the conversion of its offshore installation into a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU).
The transformation, carried out by Drydocks World in Dubai marks a major milestone in efforts to restart operations nearly three decades after the field was shut down. The redevelopment program has been advancing steadily throughout 2025.
Akrake Petroleum, a subsidiary of Rex International Holding, previously secured agreements for both the MOPU and a floating storage unit (FSO), as highlighted by Offshore Energy in April. These facilities form the backbone of the project’s offshore infrastructure and are scheduled to be fully integrated as the field nears its restart window.
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H6 reservoir sequence
According to the Qualified Person’s Report (QPR) published in August 2024 by Exceed Torridon Ltd for Rex International, the initial phase of redevelopment will focus on the H6 reservoir sequence. The plan calls for drilling an initial vertical well, followed by a horizontal well to enhance productivity. The installation and commissioning of the MOPU and FSO will support these operations, with offshore equipment anticipated to be in place by late 2025.
Drilling activities resumed in August 2025, signaling the practical kickoff of field reactivation after a 27-year hiatus. The Sèmè field, previously operated by Norway’s Saga Petroleum, produced about 22 million barrels of crude between 1982 and 1998 before economic conditions led to its closure.
The upcoming phase involves tying the newly drilled wells into the production unit and connecting the system to the storage facility. Operators also expect to evaluate deeper reservoirs, including H7 and H8, once H6 development is underway. Current plans project a restart of production in the second half of 2025, with output estimated at around 16,000 barrels per day.