# TotalEnergies Deploys Drillship to Nigeria's Akpo Offshore Field The Noble Black Rhino drillship arrives to commence new drilling at the Akpo asset. - **Source:** [Premium Times Nigeria](https://www.premiumtimesng.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/dac4df91-3e33-47ea-837c-27acd4d99aed ## New Drilling Campaign Initiated TotalEnergies has deployed the ultra-deepwater drillship Noble Black Rhino to the Akpo field in Nigeria. The vessel arrived on November 3 after a 738-nautical-mile journey from Côte d’Ivoire. Drilling operations for the AFE-1X well are scheduled to commence on November 13, marking a significant milestone for the company's deep offshore petroleum activities. ## Strategic Asset Overview The Akpo field, located within Petroleum Mining Lease 2, sits approximately 150 kilometres offshore. Originally designated as OML 130, the field has been a major producer of condensate and natural gas since March 2009. It operates under a production-sharing contract involving TotalEnergies, CNOOC, South Atlantic Petroleum, Prime 130, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. ## Recent Production Context In February 2024, TotalEnergies launched the Akpo West development, which connects to existing subsea infrastructure. This expansion was projected to add 14,000 barrels of condensate daily. In 2023, the main Akpo field recorded a production rate of 124,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, highlighting its critical role in Nigeria's total hydrocarbon output. ## Economic Impact Potential The new drilling campaign aims to strengthen production capacity and generate additional government revenue through royalties and taxes. While the project could create opportunities for local contractors, the company has not disclosed specific investment figures, targeted reserve volumes, or the expected number of Nigerian workers to be employed during this new exploration phase. ## Host Community Obligations The Petroleum Industry Act mandates that operators establish Host Communities Development Trusts to ensure local economic benefits. Although TotalEnergies maintains five existing trusts, records do not clearly identify a specific trust for the littoral communities associated with the Akpo and Egina deepwater assets, raising questions regarding the company's compliance with statutory funding requirements. ## Regulatory Allocation Framework The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission previously identified Rivers and Bayelsa states as the littoral areas linked to Akpo and Egina operations. Despite this, it remains unclear whether these communities have been formally integrated into the company's development arrangements or if they have received the required three percent contribution from annual operating expenditures. ## Environmental Performance Scrutiny The project launch coincides with ongoing investigations into TotalEnergies' environmental claims in Nigeria. Recent reports have challenged the company's assertion of having eliminated routine gas flaring. Satellite data and regulatory records suggest that flare volumes around the OML 130 asset increased to 7.9 million standard cubic feet in 2025, up from previous years. ## Methane and Flare Monitoring The persistence of flare activity and gaps in asset-level methane emissions data have drawn criticism from environmental advocates. While the presence of flares does not confirm routine flaring, it underscores the necessity for transparent reporting. Regulatory bodies like the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency are tasked with monitoring these critical environmental impacts. ## Transparency and Accountability TotalEnergies has not responded to media inquiries regarding the specific trust coverage for littoral communities or the details of its environmental emissions records. The lack of public disclosure regarding these operational impacts creates uncertainty for stakeholders who seek measurable social and economic benefits from the ongoing deepwater investments in the region. ## Future Operational Outlook The success of the AFE-1X well remains dependent on development costs and the commercial viability of the extracted hydrocarbons. While the drilling campaign signals a commitment to maintaining offshore production, the long-term sustainability of the asset will likely be measured by both its output levels and the company's adherence to regulatory environmental standards. ## Broader Industry Implications This development highlights the broader struggle within Nigeria's petroleum sector to balance industrial growth with community development and environmental protection. As the country seeks to sustain its hydrocarbon production, the intersection of new drilling, regulatory enforcement, and corporate accountability will remain a focal point for observers monitoring the industry's impact on the national economy. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/923102-totalenergies-deploys-deepwater-rig-to-akpo-for-fresh-drilling-in-nigeria.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. 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