Sahara Group Expands Energy Production with New Rigs
Sahara Group has made a significant move in the energy sector by announcing the acquisition of seven brand new rigs. This development is aimed at accelerating and enhancing production capabilities, ensuring more efficient operations.
According to a recent statement, Leste Aihevba, the Chief Technical Officer of Asharami Energy, emphasized that the company is “aggressively” expanding its upstream capacity. The goal is to produce 350,000 barrels of oil per day within the next five years. This growth will be supported by an upgrade of Sahara’s exploration and production services, along with the expansion of its execution capacity.
The announcement was made during a strategic meeting with investors and stakeholders on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Week in Cape Town. Aihevba highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving a secure and sustainable energy future for Africa. He stated, “The journey towards a secure and sustainable energy future for Africa cannot be travelled in silos. Every refinery upgrade, every gas commercialisation project, every power reform and community wealth accretion initiative must be part of a broader continental blueprint.”
The rig acquisition is central to Sahara’s plan to boost its production to at least 350,000 bpd of oil and 1,000,000 MMScf/d of gas in Nigeria within the next five years. Two of the seven new rigs are already in the country, with another two expected to arrive before year-end. Aihevba explained that the company’s upstream operations are anchored on a shared prosperity approach, recognizing host communities and the government as partners.
This collaborative effort aims to become locally competent and globally competitive in responsibly bringing energy to life. Aihevba noted that these investments are already yielding results. One of the rigs, the 2000 HP Land rig named L-Buba, has successfully commenced operations by spudding a gas development well in one of Sahara’s fields. The second rig is currently being mobilized to the site to spud an oil development well, with other rigs set to follow soon.
The rigs will be managed by Arahas Global Oilfield Services, a subsidiary of the Sahara Group. Aihevba described the company’s infrastructure drive as transformative, boosting operations and global competitiveness in Africa’s energy sector.
At Sahara Group, continuous investment in infrastructure is focused on responsibly unlocking Africa’s resources across various sectors, including upstream, midstream, power, and infrastructure. The company has expanded its reserves development and production capacity through the acquisition of seven rigs for both drilling and workover operations.
This bold and strategic drive complements efforts to accelerate the pace from exploration to production, enhance local content participation, and ensure Africa efficiently develops the reserves that will power the continent’s growth and energy future.
Key Developments in Sahara Group’s Expansion
- Rig Acquisition: The purchase of seven new rigs marks a significant step in increasing production capacity.
- Strategic Goals: Targeting 350,000 barrels of oil per day and 1,000,000 MMScf/d of gas in Nigeria within five years.
- Collaborative Approach: Emphasizing partnerships with host communities and the government to foster local competence and global competitiveness.
- Operational Success: The L-Buba rig has already started operations, with plans for additional rigs to follow soon.
- Infrastructure Development: A focus on building robust infrastructure to support all aspects of energy production and distribution.
