Lagos: Oriental Energy and its partners marked a major milestone in Dubai with the sailaway of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel EMEM.
The EMEM is the first FPSO fully funded and converted by a Nigerian indigenous company, representing a significant milestone for the nation’s oil and gas industry.
OERL stated in a press release that the EMEM FPSO has a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day and will support the development of the Okwok field offshore Nigeria.
The facility will serve as a hub for crude oil production, storage, and export, complementing OERL’s existing operations at the Ebok field.
According to the company, the EMEM FPSO is scheduled to depart Dubai in the fourth quarter of 2025 for integration with the Well Head Platform and five production wells.
First oil from the Okwok field is expected in the first quarter of 2026, marking OERL’s first independently developed and operated project in Nigeria.
The sailaway ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, and several state governors.
Notable attendees were Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, alongside OERL Chairman, Dr Muhammadu Indimi.
Also present were key representatives from Drydocks World Dubai and strategic partners involved in the project’s execution and delivery.
Senator Lokpobiri, in his remarks, said the event represented more than the launch of a vessel, but a statement of confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
He praised OERL’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, describing the investment as a model for the kind of bold initiatives needed to drive national growth.
“Investments like this not only expand production capacity but also demonstrate leadership in navigating a rapidly changing global energy landscape.
“With the commissioning of the EMEM FPSO, we are not just increasing barrels; we are also creating vital revenue streams for Nigeria’s development,” he said.
On his part, Indimi said the company’s 2022 decision to develop the Okwok field independently had reached a defining milestone with the EMEM’s sailaway.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Lokpobiri, and other government officials for their support and the enabling environment they provided.
“The sailaway of the EMEM FPSO is a major achievement in our journey toward full operational independence,” Indimi said, dedicating the success to OERL’s partners and Nigeria’s energy future.
