Sahara Upstream has expanded its crude oil evacuation infrastructure with the deployment of MT D Adesanya, a tanker capable of holding up to 380,000 barrels of crude oil, as part of efforts to improve production efficiency at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18.

The company said the Medium Range (MR) vessel, with a storage capacity exceeding 62,000 cubic metres, will operate alongside the existing MT D Bayero, increasing the capacity available for crude evacuation from one of Nigeria’s major upstream assets.

Positioned at Bonny Anchorage, the tanker will receive crude oil from shuttle vessels before transferring the cargo to the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Cawthorne facility. The additional vessel is expected to reduce delays in evacuation, speed up vessel turnaround times and support higher production volumes.

According to Sahara Upstream, the investment is aimed at strengthening its marine logistics network, improving operational reliability and supporting sustainable growth in crude oil production.

Chief Value Officer of Sahara Upstream, Dr. Tosin Etomi, said the deployment demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding infrastructure that can meet current and future production demands. He noted that improving evacuation capacity will enhance operational flexibility while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s energy sector.

The tanker is named after the late Debola Adesanya, who previously led Sahara’s operations in Kenya and was recognised for his contributions to the company’s expansion across East Africa before his passing in May 2026.

Executive Directors Tope Shonubi and Wale Ajibade described the vessel as both a strategic investment and a tribute to Adesanya, saying his leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on the organisation.