Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has resumed production at the Bonga deepwater oil field following the successful completion of a major turnaround maintenance (TAM) programme on the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. Production restarted on March 6, 2026.
The maintenance exercise, which commenced on February 1, 2026, was delivered 11 days ahead of its original schedule and was completed without any lost-time safety incidents. The project involved extensive work to ensure the long-term operational integrity and reliability of the FPSO, a critical asset for Nigeria’s offshore oil sector.
“Completing the turnaround safely and ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Nigerian workforce and the helpful support of our partners,” said Ronald Adams, SNEPCo Managing Director. He noted that the achievement positions the operation favourably for the upcoming Bonga North project, which will depend on the FPSO’s enhanced reliability.
The turnaround underscores SNEPCo’s commitment to developing local capacity in Nigeria’s deepwater industry. Of the 55 companies contracted for the execution, 43 were wholly Nigerian-owned firms. Furthermore, eight of the twelve international service providers involved maintain operational bases in Nigeria, facilitating knowledge transfer and local investment. Over 1,000 personnel worked offshore during the maintenance period, with more than 95% being Nigerians engaged in maintenance, engineering, operations, inspection, and construction roles. Thousands of additional staff supported the operation from onshore locations, demonstrating the breadth of indigenous expertise in offshore oil and gas activities.
SNEPCo acknowledged the support of key stakeholders, including the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), alongside its joint venture partners.
The Bonga field, Nigeria’s first deepwater project, has been a flagship operation since it began production in 2005. The timely and safe completion of this major maintenance cycle is significant for national oil output and revenue, reinforcing the field’s contribution to Nigeria’s upstream sector. The success of the TAM also provides a foundation for future expansion projects in the Bonga licence area.
