…Joint patrol soon to debut

A new strategic partnership toward protection of oil assets has been reached between an emerging oil major and a sensitive security arm.

This is as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and the Nigerian Navy are reported to have committed to a partnership to strengthen maritime security that would support improved crude oil and gas production across the company’s operational assets in the Niger Delta, according to a statement issued from Michael Adande, spokesperson of the Renaissance Africa Company Limited.

Renaissance inherited 133bpd from SPDC in March 2025 but moved it to additional 100bpd (to 233bpd) in 90 days, according to approved company sources; and have pledged to hit 300bpd by January 2026 on the way to 500bpd in the future. Security is said to be important in meeting these goals and targets.

The partnership with security arms is said to be strategic in realizing the targets.

The commitment with the Navy was therefore said to be the highlight of a high-level meeting held on Monday, September 11, 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja, where senior executives from Renaissance were said to have met with naval the leadership of the Navy to discuss joint efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted energy output.

Igo Weli, Renaissance’s General Manager for Relations and Sustainable Development said: “Our vision for Nigeria’s energy security is rooted in collaboration.”

He went on: “Working closely with the Navy ensures that our operations are protected and our growth trajectory remains stable.”

Weli, accompanied by Meshach Maichibi, Renaissance’s Chief Production Officer (CPO), and other senior executives of the company, restated Renaissance’s commitment to partnering with public and private institutions to support the economic growth of Nigeria through improved oil and gas revenue.

This is said to be in realization that security remains a key concern for operators in the Niger Delta, where infrastructure sabotage and crude oil theft continue to pose risks to production and personnel.

Speaking at the meeting, Toye Fakoti, Renaissance’s General Manager for Security, called for enhanced coordination with the Navy to improve surveillance of underwater assets and address maritime threats.

“We are seeing increasingly sophisticated threats to subsea infrastructure and offshore assets,” Fatoki said.

He went on: “A coordinated response with the Navy is essential, not only to deter criminal activity but to ensure the safe and stable operation of our facilities.”

Emmanuel Ogalla, a vice admiral, and Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Ibrahim Dewu, a rear admiral and Chief of Policy and Plans, welcomed the partnership initiative and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting the oil and gas sector.

He commended the rapid production turnaround by the company and emphasised the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in achieving national energy objectives and maintaining maritime stability.

At the end of the meeting, both Renaissance and the Nigerian Navy agreed to establish a joint framework for operational coordination, intelligence sharing, and rapid response mechanisms to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure.

Adande said Renaissance acquired Shell’s stake in the Shell Petroleum Development Company earlier this year (2025) and has positioned itself as Nigeria’s leading indigenous upstream operators.

“The engagement with the Navy is part of Renaissance’s wider effort to align with government and security institutions to drive sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector), the spokesperson added.