Port Harcourt – April 13, 2025 – After 15 years of inactivity, Oil Mining Lease 25 (OML-25), one of Nigeria’s critical oil assets, may be inching toward revival—but not without drama. The recent takeover of the asset by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has reignited demands and fresh negotiations from host communities in the Kula axis of Rivers State.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Naija247news reliably gathered that although Renaissance has commenced wide consultations with stakeholders across the Niger Delta to ensure smooth relations in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), host communities are insisting on a legally binding agreement before oil can begin to flow.
Communities Demand Fresh Deal Before Oil Resumes
Representatives of the Kula, Belema, Offoin-Ama, and Ngeje communities made their demands public after a high-level engagement in Port Harcourt between Renaissance and the Eastern Zone host communities. They said the new operator must not only inherit Shell’s assets—but also its liabilities.
In a press briefing, elder statesman and prominent Kula stakeholder, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, stated that the communities had suffered “enslavement, neglect, and dehumanisation” during Shell’s 67-year operation of the oil field. He called on Renaissance to implement the long-abandoned 2019 agreement between Shell, Belemaoil, NNPC, and the federal government.
Sara-Igbe further insisted that the new operator must address unemployment, environmental degradation, and infrastructure gaps, which have plagued the area since Shell’s exit. “We are not saying Renaissance should not operate,” he said, “but they must first sit down with us and sign a new enforceable deal that prioritizes local content, community development, and equity.”
Renaissance Faces Distrust Over Retaining Shell Staff
The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, also raised concern over Renaissance’s plan to retain former Shell staff. He warned this move could trigger another round of conflict if not handled transparently.
“Retaining Shell’s personnel may breed distrust among our people. We want locals trained and employed. Youth unemployment is a time bomb,” he told Naija247news.
The Shadow of Belemaoil and the Path to Peace
The issues surrounding OML-25 date back to a long-standing dispute between SPDC and its host communities. In 2019, then-Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, led what was described as the “largest oil industry delegation” to flag off peace efforts in Kula. The delegation included the NNPC’s Mele Kyari, Shell MD Osagie Okunbor, and Belemaoil founder Tein Jack-Rich.
Despite a “win-win” arrangement that affirmed Shell’s license rights and Belemaoil’s maintenance mandate, the deal failed to deliver meaningful dividends to the communities, many of whom still lack basic amenities.
Sources say Renaissance, which acquired the asset during Shell’s divestment push, has expressed willingness to respect legacy issues and establish new partnerships rooted in trust and sustainability.
OML-25’s Economic Value and the Stakes Involved
OML-25, which has capacity to produce between 35,000 and 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day and 103,000 cubic feet of gas, has recorded an estimated $1.7 billion loss due to the shutdown.
A Renaissance official told Naija247news that the company is “committed to turning the page,” but stressed the need for peaceful and structured engagement. “We are not here to impose solutions. We want to listen and co-create a new beginning with the people,” the official said.
The Way Forward
As Renaissance pushes to restart operations, industry observers urge the federal government to ensure all parties honour past agreements and avoid repeating mistakes that alienated host communities in the first place.
Security analysts and policy experts also warn that failure to get buy-in from locals could derail the project’s long-term viability, especially in a post-PIA era where host community development trusts are a legal requirement.
Bottom Line
With billions in dormant potential, OML-25 could become a model for resolving community-oil company conflicts in the Niger Delta. But only if Renaissance gets its engagement strategy right—and fast.
By Naija247news Investigative Desk
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