Sèmè, 29 October 2025—PRESS AFRIKA— After nearly three decades of shutdown, the Sèmè field (Block 1) off the coast of Benin is once again at the center of attention: drilling campaigns have resumed, production units have been contracted and the country is seriously considering relaunching commercial production by the end of 2025. Recent developments confirm both the existence of recoverable resources and the concrete possibility of production in the short term.

Field and reserves

The Sèmè field is located in Block 1 (Dahomey Basin), in shallow waters (20-30 m). The block covers about 551 km² and includes the field discovered in the late 1960s, which was already produced between 1982 and 1998. Recent studies and independent expert reports have confirmed significant residual volumes in several reservoirs (H6, H7, H8), making it economically feasible to bring it back into production through modern rehabilitation.

Production targets

The operators have planned a phased restart of production, namely a drilling campaign (three wells scheduled), and the installation of a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) and a storage system (FSO). Officials announce initial production targeted for the fourth quarter of 2025, with a starting flow rate expected at around 15,000 barrels per day.

The blocks under review

Block 1 (Sèmè Field) is located in the coastal zone. It is the historic block containing the Sèmè field, for which the operator Akrake (a group linked to Rex/Lime) holds a 76% operator interest; the Beninese state retains about 15% and Octogone Trading/Octogone E&P holds about 9%. There are also the contiguous blocks (2, 3, 4, ...) of the coastal strip and the continental shelf of the Dahomey Basin, which have been divided into several exploration blocks of varying coverage: larger blocks offshore, smaller blocks close to the coast. Geological studies (paleostratigraphy, 2D/3D seismic) show additional potential but require drilling and new data to confirm exploitable volumes.

The Beninese state holds a 15% stake through the production sharing contract (PSC) and is the counterpart for fiscal, regulatory and environmental structuring. Service providers (MOPU, FSO, lifting companies, seismic and geotechnical contractors) and logistics shipowners also play a key role. Several MOPU/FSO contracts were signed or finalized during 2025.

Economic, technical and environmental stakes

Scale and profitability: the volumes already produced historically, some 22 million barrels between 1982 and 1998, and current estimates make the project viable on a small to medium scale if drilling, installation and logistics costs remain under control. The MOPU/FSO approach is precisely aimed at reducing CAPEX.

Governance and revenue: transparent management of revenue, and clear rules on local employment, procurement and taxation, will be decisive in turning the resource into benefits for the Beninese people.

Environment and safety: offshore activities require pollution prevention plans, emissions monitoring, waste management and emergency response provisions, all elements to be built into contracts and public oversight.

Sustainability and diversification: even if the restart is promising, Benin must use these resources to finance economic diversification (infrastructure, education, renewable energy) in order to avoid excessive dependence on hydrocarbons.

The existing technical and contractual elements show that the existence of oil in Benin is no longer a hypothesis: the Sèmè field is confirmed, drilling and equipment work is under way and production is plausible in the short term. However, turning this opportunity into an engine of sustainable development will depend heavily on Benin's ability to govern the sector, negotiate favorable contracts and invest the revenue strategically.

Writer: Khadidjatou BAWA ALLAH