A Singapore-linked energy company has discovered approximately 950 metres of oil-saturated reservoir in a production well at the Sèmè Field offshore Benin, marking a major step in redeveloping a long-dormant asset, Business Insider Africa reported.
The well, designated AK‑2H and operated by Akrake Petroleum, a subsidiary of Singapore’s Rex International Holding, targeted the H6 reservoir within the Abeokuta Formation. Industry sources said the horizontal well encountered high-quality sandstone with strong porosity and oil saturation, and modern completion technology was installed to optimise production, IndexBox noted.
Sèmè, part of Block 1 offshore Benin, previously produced about 22 million barrels between 1982 and 1998 before operations were halted. The new discovery follows nearly three decades of dormancy and is central to plans for redeveloping the field, including tie-ins to a mobile offshore production unit and a floating storage and offloading vessel, OE Digital reported.
Initial production from the well is expected to reach 15,000–16,000 barrels per day, providing Benin with a new revenue stream and reinforcing the Gulf of Guinea’s offshore potential. Analysts say the project reflects growing investor confidence in West Africa’s energy sector, supported by modern drilling technology and targeted capital investment.
