KEY POINTS
- Shell Trading publicly endorsed Petralon Energy’s operations after its Dawes Island field achieved first oil.
- The company progressed from licence award in 2022 to production within a short timeline, exporting about 158,000 barrels so far.
- Expansion plans include new wells and facilities as indigenous operators take a larger role in Nigeria’s oil production.
Investor confidence in local oil producers has received a notable lift following an endorsement from Shell Western Supply and Trading, which praised Petralon Energy for its operational performance and project execution capacity.
Speaking at a London event hosted to celebrate Petralon’s first oil from the Dawes Island marginal field, Chief Executive Officer Rodrigo Teixeira de Abreu commended the company’s leadership for successfully moving the project from concept to production.
The event was attended by Petralon’s founder and CEO Ahonsi Unuigbe, board chairman Mutiu Sunmonu, and other senior executives.
Milestone Achievement for Marginal Field Programme
Petralon’s first oil output marks a major milestone not only for the company but also for Nigeria’s marginal field initiative, demonstrating that indigenous operators can efficiently develop and manage oil assets.
Since securing its licence in June 2022, the company has moved rapidly from planning to drilling and production. It has drilled multiple wells, brought the DI-2 well on stream, and exported roughly 158,000 barrels of crude via the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal.
Expansion Plans and Production Growth
Entering 2026, Petralon has already drilled a third well (DI-3) to full depth and plans to bring it online before the end of the current quarter, with a fourth well (DI-4) scheduled for later in the year.
The company is also preparing for the next development phase, which includes additional wells and permanent field infrastructure to stabilise production.
Analysts say Shell Trading’s role as crude offtaker and co-financier provides both market access and financial backing, enabling Petralon to accelerate production timelines.
According to energy analyst Quazim Adeniran, such recognition reflects strong trust in the company’s leadership and operational discipline, and signals broader confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector.
