SONIDEP S.A.: Commercialising One Million Barrels of Nigerian Crude Oil

• SONIDEP S.A. sold one million barrels of Nigerian crude oil to SONATRACH as part of a sale operation.
• The transaction was conducted in Benin from August 9 to 15, 2026, and is governed by contractual provisions dated July 22, 2026.
• SONIDEP S.A.'s direct intervention in the commercialization of Nigerian crude oil marks an important step towards national control over natural resources in Niger.
• The sale operation demonstrates SONIDEP S.A.'s ability to manage large-scale commercial operations and its ambition to become a fully integrated national oil operator.

This transaction marks an important step in SONIDEP S.A.'s direct intervention in the commercialization of Nigerian crude oil, from acquisition by the State to sale and delivery to the buyer.

A joint mission from SONIDEP S.A. and SONATRACH was conducted in Benin from August 9 to 15, 2026, as part of the execution of a sale operation for a cargo of Nigerian crude oil called MELECK at the Sèmè petroleum terminal. The transaction involved the sale of one million barrels of crude oil acquired by SONIDEP S.A. from the Niger State and sold to SONATRACH in accordance with contractual provisions dated July 22, 2026. The cargo destined for SONATRACH was loaded onto the OTTOMAN SINCERITY ship at the Sèmè terminal to be transported to its final destination. This transaction marks an important step in SONIDEP S.A.'s direct intervention in the commercialization of Nigerian crude oil, from acquisition by the State to sale and delivery to the buyer.

The transaction is in line with the vision of President Abdourahamane Tiani, who prioritizes energy sovereignty, national control over natural resources, and strengthening the role of national companies in strategic sectors. The sale operation is also part of SONIDEP S.A.'s ambition to become a fully integrated national oil operator, capable of intervening throughout the hydrocarbon value chain, from exploration to production, transportation, refining, and commercialization. The contractual provisions dated July 22, 2026, govern the transaction between SONIDEP S.A. and SONATRACH.

This transaction is a significant step towards national control over natural resources in Niger, and national companies should closely monitor its evolution to ensure it does not create new risks or legal obligations. The sale operation demonstrates SONIDEP S.A.'s ability to manage large-scale commercial operations, from acquisition to delivery, in coordination with all relevant stakeholders.

Cette transaction marque une étape importante dans la maîtrise nationale des ressources naturelles au Niger, et les entreprises nationales devraient surveiller de près l'évolution de cette sectorisation pour s'assurer qu'elle ne crée pas de nouveaux risques ou obligations légales.

Source: Original reporting via La Sonidep S.A. franchit une nouvelle étape dans la commercialisation du pétrole brut nigérien