LE BRIEF

Benin: Shell selected to market the first barrels from the offshore Sèmè field

LE BRIEF • 2026-11-03

According to Africa Intelligence, Shell has been selected to lift Sèmè's first barrels after production resumed in 2026. This commercial role is separate from that of operator Akrake Petroleum Benin.

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LE BRIEF — Tuesday, 3 November 2026, final consolidated edition By the LE BRIEF newsroom Country or region : Benin Source publication : 29 October 2026 Event : Commercial selection announced in late October; follow-up coverage Supplied photograph: offshore production vessel. Illustration; it is not verified as a Sèmè field installation. Provenance and reproduction rights must be validated before commercial use. Benin is taking another step in developing offshore oil resources with Shell's selection to lift the first barrels from the Sèmè field. According to Africa Intelligence, the international energy group was selected for this commercial operation after the field resumed production in 2026. Organising the first volumes' marketing Sèmè has a distinctive place in Benin's energy history: production stopped in 1998 before renewed efforts enabled its restart. Akrake Petroleum Benin operates the project and must address conditions necessary for continued development. Shell's selection helps organise lifting of produced hydrocarbons and delivery to markets. For Benin, the restart could support oil services, maritime logistics and related activities. Viability depends on operating conditions Project viability will depend on actual production volumes, operating costs, international prices and contractual terms. Restarting an old field also involves technical challenges concerning e...