Nigeria’s deepwater oil operations received a significant boost as Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) successfully completed turnaround maintenance on the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, enabling production to resume at the country’s premier deepwater field on March 6, 2026.
The maintenance project, which began on February 1, 2026, was delivered 11 days ahead of schedule and without any safety incidents, underscoring SNEPCo’s commitment to operational excellence, asset integrity, and safety.
“Completing the turnaround safely and ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Nigerian workforce and the support of our partners,” said SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams.
“This achievement not only secures the long-term integrity of the Bonga FPSO but also positions us strongly for the successful delivery of the Bonga North project, leveraging the improved reliability of the FPSO.”
The turnaround maintenance underscores SNEPCo’s leadership in advancing deepwater expertise in Nigeria. Out of the 55 companies involved in the operation, 43 were wholly Nigerian, while eight of the 12 international service providers maintain operational bases in the country. This collaboration has facilitated knowledge transfer, local capacity building, and increased investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Over 1,000 personnel worked offshore during the exercise, with more than 95% being Nigerian professionals engaged in maintenance, engineering, operations, inspection, and construction. Thousands more supported the effort from onshore locations, reflecting the depth of domestic capability in offshore oil and gas operations.
Adams further acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders in ensuring the project’s success, including the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and various partner organizations.
The successful completion of the Bonga FPSO turnaround not only strengthens Nigeria’s deepwater production capacity but also highlights the growing competence of the Nigerian workforce in executing complex offshore projects, setting a benchmark for future oil and gas developments in the country.