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Investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s indigenous oil operators has received a strong boost following the endorsement of Petralon Energy by Shell Western Supply and Trading. The international trading arm expressed faith in Petralon’s ability to acquire, develop, finance, and operate oil and gas assets efficiently, signaling growing market trust in local operators.
The endorsement came during a London event celebrating Petralon Energy’s first oil at the Dawes Island Field, a landmark achievement for the company and Nigeria’s marginal field programme. Speaking at the ceremony, Shell Western Supply and Trading’s CEO, Rodrigo Teixeira de Abreu, commended Petralon’s leadership and operational discipline in advancing the project from concept to delivery.
Petralon’s Founder and CEO, Ahonsi Unuigbe, Board Chairman, Mutiu Sunmonu, CON, and Chief Commercial Officer, Uduak Equere, were all present to witness the recognition, which validated the company’s rapid transition of the Dawes Island asset from development to production within three years of licence award in June 2022.
Since the award, Petralon has drilled multiple wells, brought the DI-2 well onstream, and evacuated roughly 158,000 barrels of crude via the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal. Entering 2026, the DI-3 well has reached total depth and is scheduled to come online before the end of the first quarter, while DI-4 is planned later this year. The company continues to focus on stabilising output from DI-2 and DI-3, while preparing for the next development phase, which includes additional wells and permanent field facilities.
Petralon Energy’s achievement underscores the capacity of indigenous operators to operate assets responsibly and efficiently.
“It’s important to note that acknowledging the company’s quality leadership and disciplined operational process by Shell Trading is not just a commendation, but a vote of confidence in our oil sector,” said Quazim Adeniran, an Energy Sector Analyst.
Shell Trading, as both crude offtaker and co-financier of the Dawes Island project, has been instrumental in providing market access and financial support, enabling the field to move into production.
As Nigeria increasingly relies on indigenous operators to sustain oil output following divestments by international oil companies, the success of Petralon Energy demonstrates that local operators with the right expertise and strategic outlook can meet national production targets efficiently. With rapid project execution and disciplined operations, the company has positioned itself as one of the most active and capable players in the current marginal field cycle.
Petralon’s success sends a clear signal: trust and investment in competent indigenous operators are key to sustaining Nigeria’s oil sector growth and securing investor confidence.
