Petralon Energy Pushes Dawes Island Drilling Forward, Wins Government Backing
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Petralon Energy is accelerating drilling activities at the Dawes Island field, located in PPL 259, Nigeria, as the company successfully brought the DI-2 well back online and spudded the DI-3 well. These milestones underscore the company’s commitment to expanding production in line with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), reaffirming the critical role of independent operators in national energy goals.
Following an inspection tour of the field, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, gave a strong endorsement of Petralon Energy’s achievements, praising the company for demonstrating what effective indigenous participation should look like under the PIA.
“We have always maintained that the era of holding licenses as souvenirs is over,” Lokpobiri said. “Under the ‘Drill or Drop’ provision of the PIA, operators must stay active or relinquish their assets. Petralon Energy represents an example for others to follow as Nigeria targets 2.5 million barrels per day.”
AEC Welcomes Petralon’s Milestones
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) applauded the Minister’s remarks, noting that Petralon Energy’s progress reflects a combination of regulatory clarity, government support and operator accountability — the core purpose of the PIA.
According to the AEC, Petralon’s performance demonstrates how empowered indigenous operators can drive production, strengthen local capacity and ensure community participation in energy development.
Reviving Abandoned Assets, Delivering New Volumes
Since taking over the Dawes Island field, Petralon Energy has revived abandoned infrastructure, restarted the DI-2 well, and embarked on a drilling campaign that has added approximately 2,500 barrels per day (bpd). Minister Lokpobiri described this as evidence of Petralon’s “commendable capacity.”
These efforts are aligned with the PIA’s vision to transform Nigeria’s upstream landscape by encouraging active work commitments and reducing dormant acreage held by non-operational licensees.
Indigenous Operators Filling the Gap
Petralon’s involvement in the Project One Million Barrels initiative showcases how Nigerian companies are stepping into the opportunities arising from the gradual exit of international oil majors from onshore and shallow-water assets.
The company has also prioritised community engagement — traditionally a major bottleneck in Niger Delta operations. Through Petralon 54, Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) have been established for the Ogoloma and Koniama communities, in full compliance with the PIA’s host community provisions.
This move strengthens social license and fosters long-term stability for oil production activities.
“When Indigenous Companies Are Empowered, They Deliver” — AEC
“Petralon Energy has shown what happens when you give capable Nigerian companies the room to perform — they deliver,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their progress at Dawes Island proves that indigenous operators are central to achieving Nigeria’s production targets.”
Nigeria remains a cornerstone of Africa’s energy landscape, and increasing indigenous participation is crucial to sustaining this leadership position.
With strong government backing, operational discipline, and active community engagement, Petralon Energy’s strides at Dawes Island offer a practical template for boosting production, deepening local ownership, and driving transparent, inclusive resource development.
