Nigeria’s oil exports will decline sharply in February as production from the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility is temporarily halted for scheduled maintenance, cutting output by 225,000 barrels per day. Gas production is also expected to fall by 150 million standard cubic feet per day during the maintenance period, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo), operator of the Bonga field, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday. The company said it has commenced turnaround maintenance on the FPSO as part of a statutory integrity assurance programme aimed at extending the facility’s operational lifespan.
SNEPCo’s Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, explained that the maintenance exercise is critical to ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of the offshore asset. Managing Director Ronald Adams added that the programme is designed to support safe and efficient operations for at least another 15 years while reducing the risk of unplanned production disruptions.
“The scheduled maintenance is intended to minimise unplanned deferments and strengthen the asset’s overall resilience,” Adams said, noting that operations are expected to resume in March once the turnaround is completed. He said the scope of work includes inspections, certifications, regulatory compliance checks, engineering modifications, integrity upgrades and subsea assurance activities.
Located about 120 kilometres offshore in water depths exceeding 1,000 metres, the Bonga FPSO has a production capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Adams stressed that maintaining the facility is vital to Nigeria’s production stability, energy security and revenue goals, especially following the 2024 Final Investment Decision on the Bonga North project, which will add new volumes through a subsea tie-back.
source: premiumtimes