Sahara Upstream has deployed MT D Adesanya, a 380,000-barrel Medium Range (MR) tanker, to enhance crude oil evacuation capacity at OML 18.
In a statement, it said this is to strengthen operational efficiency and advance sustainability across its marine logistics operations.
It added that the vessel, which has a capacity of more than 62,000 cubic metres of crude oil, will serve as an additional mother vessel for OML 18 crude evacuation operations, complementing MT D Bayero and expanding the infrastructure supporting one of Nigeria's key upstream assets.
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"Named in honour of the late Mr. Debola Adesanya, who led Sahara's Kenya operations and contributed significantly to the organization's growth across East Africa prior to his passing on May 1, 2026, the vessel represents both a strategic investment in the future of energy and a lasting tribute to a respected colleague whose leadership left an enduring impact across the Sahara ecosystem."
"Stationed at Bonny Anchorage, MT D Adesanya will receive crude from shuttle vessels operating within the field before onward transfer to the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Cawthorne facility. It is expected to improve turnaround times by enabling shuttle vessels to discharge more quickly and return to loading operations, enhancing evacuation efficiency, increasing throughput and reducing potential operational bottlenecks."
Speaking on the deployment, Chief Value Officer, Sahara Upstream, Dr. Tosin Etomi, described MT D Adesanya as a significant investment in capacity, resilience and long-term value creation.
"The deployment of MT D Adesanya reinforces our commitment to building the capacity required to support sustainable production growth. By strengthening our evacuation infrastructure, we are enhancing operational reliability, improving efficiency and creating the flexibility needed to support increasing production volumes today and in the future," he said.
Etomi noted that investments in critical energy infrastructure play an important role in supporting economic growth across Nigeria and the African continent.
Executive Directors, Mr. Tope Shonubi and Mr. Wale Ajibade, said the vessel also serves as a fitting tribute to the late Debola Adesanya, whose resilience, leadership and friendship left an indelible mark on the Sahara ecosystem.
