Shell Launches Major Maintenance on Bonga Offshore Facility to Ensure Safety and Efficiency

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has begun a turnaround maintenance programme on the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, one of Nigeria’s key offshore oil production assets. The exercise is designed to ensure the long-term safe and efficient operation of the facility and strengthen its resilience.

The maintenance, expected to last several weeks, involves statutory inspections, certification and regulatory checks, major integrity upgrades, and engineering modifications to improve operational performance and subsea systems. The work is necessary to extend the FPSO’s service life and reduce the risk of unplanned disruptions.

Located about 120 kilometres offshore in deep water, the Bonga FPSO has the capacity to produce around 225,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. While the vessel is offline during the maintenance period, Nigeria’s crude output and export figures are likely to decline temporarily.

SNEPCo’s managing director said operations are expected to resume in March once the turnaround is successfully completed. The company also noted that the maintenance comes as preparations continue for handling additional volumes from new developments linked to the broader Bonga North project.

Analysts say scheduled maintenance of ageing offshore assets like the Bonga FPSO is critical for sustaining production, supporting revenue, and maintaining Nigeria’s role in the global energy market, especially amid efforts to boost output stability.