Nigeria’s oil exports are set to decline by 225,000 barrels per day in February following the shutdown of the Bonga floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO) for scheduled maintenance. The move will also reduce gas output by 150 million standard cubic feet per day during the turnaround period, according to the operator, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo).
SNEPCo confirmed the maintenance began in early February, describing it as a mandatory integrity assurance programme essential for extending the offshore facility’s operational life. The company’s Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, stated the exercise is now underway.
Managing Director Ronald Adams said the comprehensive maintenance is designed to ensure safe, efficient operations for at least the next 15 years. “The scheduled maintenance is designed to reduce unplanned deferments and strengthen the asset’s overall resilience,” he said, adding that production is expected to resume in March.
The scope includes inspections, certification, regulatory checks, integrity upgrades, engineering modifications, and subsea assurance activities. The Bonga FPSO, located approximately 120 kilometres offshore in over 1,000 metres of water, has a daily capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of associated gas.
Adams highlighted the maintenance’s national importance, linking it directly to Nigeria’s production stability, energy security, and revenue objectives. He noted the 2024 Final Investment Decision on the Bonga North development increases the FPSO’s strategic value, as the turnaround prepares the facility for additional volumes from the Bonga North subsea tie-back project.
The last major turnaround on the asset was completed in October 2022. Since starting operations in 2005, the Bonga field produced its one billionth barrel on February 1, 2023.
SNEPCo operates the Bonga field under a production sharing contract with Nigeria’s state oil company, NNPC Ltd., in partnership with Esso and Nigerian Agip.
The temporary halt underscores the ongoing balance between essential infrastructure maintenance and Nigeria’s immediate export and revenue targets from its offshore oil sector.
