Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL) and its partners marked a major milestone on Saturday with the sailaway of the EMEM Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FPSO) at Drydocks World Dubai Shipyard.
The EMEM FPSO is the first fully funded and converted vessel by a Nigerian indigenous company, symbolizing a significant achievement for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
With a processing capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day, the FPSO will serve the Okwok field offshore Nigeria and act as a hub for crude oil production, storage, and export, complementing OERL’s operations at the Ebok field.
The vessel is scheduled to depart Dubai in the fourth quarter of 2025 for integration with the Well Head Platform and five production wells, with first oil expected in the first quarter of 2026.
This marked OERL’s first independently developed and operated project in Nigeria.
The sailaway ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), alongside OERL Chairman Dr. Muhammadu Indimi and key representatives from Drydocks World Dubai.
In his remarks, Senator Lokpobiri hailed the event as more than a vessel launch, describing it as a statement of confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
“Investments like this not only expand production capacity but also demonstrate leadership in navigating a rapidly changing global energy landscape,” he said.
Dr. Indimi highlighted that the EMEM’s sailaway marked the fruition of OERL’s 2022 decision to independently develop the Okwok field.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Lokpobiri, and other government officials for their support.
“This achievement signifies a major step toward full operational independence, and we dedicate this success to our partners and Nigeria’s energy future,” he said.
The event underscored the growing capabilities of Nigerian indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector and their contributions to national development.
