Overview of Upcoming Drilling Campaigns in Nigeria

TotalEnergies and Chevron are preparing to drill critical exploration and appraisal wells in Nigeria, as reported by partner Meren Energy. These plans signal increased investment in the West African energy sector, driven by government initiatives to encourage exploration and production activities.

TotalEnergies' Drilling Plans

After a drilling hiatus at the Akpo and Egina fields, work to secure a deepwater drilling rig is advancing, with mobilization expected in the second half of 2026. The campaign will begin with the Akpo Far East exploration well, described as a "strategically positioned, fast-cycle, tie-back opportunity" to Akpo's existing infrastructure, which includes subsea wells connected to a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. This prospect holds approximately 144 million barrels of oil equivalent of unrisked light oil with a high gas-oil ratio, similar to the Akpo field. Current efforts focus on well optimization and final well design.

Following the Akpo Far East probe, drilling will return to the Akpo and Egina fields, with production from new wells expected to flow in early 2027. Well intervention activities are currently being planned. Additionally, TotalEnergies is continuing subsurface studies and scenario assessments for the Preowei discovery, which could be developed as a subsea tie-back to the Egina FPSO. The focus is on field subsurface maturation and new resource estimates to support a potential final investment decision. Plans are also underway to drill an appraisal well on the Egina South oil discovery, another potential satellite to the Egina FPSO.

Chevron's Drilling Plans

Chevron is set to start a drilling campaign on its Agbami field and Ikija discovery in the fourth quarter of 2026, beginning with the Ikija probe. At Agbami, six infill wells are currently planned across 2027 and 2028.