Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has commenced a major turnaround maintenance exercise on the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, a move the company says is critical to extending the operational life of one of Nigeria’s most strategic offshore oil assets.
The company disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the maintenance programme is part of a statutory integrity and safety assurance process designed to ensure uninterrupted production, regulatory compliance, and improved long-term performance.
Operations at the Bonga FPSO are expected to resume in March 2026, following the completion of the exercise.
According to SNEPCo, the maintenance activity is not only routine but also essential to sustaining Nigeria’s offshore oil output at a time when production stability remains central to national revenue, energy security, and investor confidence.
Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance strengthens asset integrity and production outlook
The Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance programme is designed to ensure the facility remains safe, efficient, and resilient for at least the next 15 years.
Speaking on the development, SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams, said the exercise was carefully planned to minimise unplanned production disruptions while improving the vessel’s ability to handle future operational demands.
“The scheduled maintenance activity is designed to ensure the FPSO continues to operate safely and efficiently for the next 15 years, while reducing unplanned deferments and strengthening the asset’s overall resilience,” Adams said.
“We expect to resume operations in March following the completion of the turnaround.”
Industry analysts note that the Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s offshore oil sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s crude output and foreign exchange earnings.
Scope of Work and Technical Upgrades
SNEPCo explained that the maintenance scope includes statutory inspections, certification exercises, and regulatory compliance checks, alongside major asset-integrity upgrades.
Engineering modifications are also being carried out to enhance long-term operational efficiency, while subsea assurance activities are being executed to strengthen reliability beneath the waterline.
The Bonga FPSO is located approximately 120 kilometres offshore, operating in water depths exceeding 1,000 metres, and has a nameplate capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil per day and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
Given these capacities, even short-term operational interruptions can have noticeable implications for national production figures.
However, the company did not disclose whether the ongoing Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance would significantly impact Nigeria’s daily oil output during the maintenance window.
Strategic Importance Ahead of Bonga North Project
Beyond immediate operational needs, the maintenance exercise has wider strategic implications.
SNEPCo revealed that the turnaround is closely linked to preparations for the Bonga North subsea tie-back development, for which the company and its partners took a final investment decision in 2024.
The Bonga North project is expected to rely heavily on the reliability and enhanced capacity of the existing FPSO.
As such, a successful Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance programme is seen as critical to ensuring the facility can handle additional production volumes without operational strain.
“This year’s turnaround comes at a strategic moment for SNEPCo and its co-venture partners,” the company said, adding that the maintenance would help prepare the FPSO for increased operational demands associated with new developments.
A Proven Asset in Nigeria’s Offshore Portfolio
The Bonga FPSO has remained one of Nigeria’s most productive offshore assets since production commenced in 2005.
The last turnaround maintenance on the vessel was carried out in October 2022, and on February 1, 2023, the asset delivered its one-billionth barrel of oil, a milestone widely regarded as a testament to its engineering robustness and operational management.
Energy sector experts say continued investments such as the current Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance are essential if Nigeria is to maintain competitiveness in the global deepwater space, particularly as other oil-producing countries expand offshore capacity.
Partnership Structure and National Relevance
SNEPCo operates the Bonga field in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, under a Production Sharing Contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The FPSO is regarded as a critical national asset, contributing significantly to government revenue, export earnings, and offshore employment.
Maintaining its integrity, stakeholders argue, is vital not only for Shell and its partners but also for Nigeria’s broader fiscal and energy objectives.
While the company has not provided detailed projections on production deferment during the maintenance period, observers believe the long-term gains from the Shell Bonga FPSO maintenance will outweigh any short-term output adjustments.
As Nigeria continues to position deepwater production as a stabilising pillar of its oil sector, timely maintenance of assets such as the Bonga FPSO remains non-negotiable.
The successful completion of the ongoing turnaround could play a decisive role in supporting future production growth, improving asset longevity, and reinforcing investor confidence in Nigeria’s offshore energy landscape.
