Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has said that Nigerian companies stand to benefit significantly from its offshore and shallow water operations, if they take fuller advantage of the opportunities available.
The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, made the observation in a statement released to journalists over the weekend in Yenagoa by the company’s Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu.
Adams, who was represented by Charles Oranyeli, Head of Supply Chain at SNEPCo, spoke during the fifth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He pointed to offshore projects such as Bonga South West Aparo as having the potential to significantly boost the capabilities and commercial success of Nigerian businesses.
He added that further opportunities also lie in the Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension projects, which, if Nigerian companies commit themselves to handling higher-value contracts, could help strengthen their technical and operational competencies.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater exploration frontier through the Bonga development, which was the country’s first deepwater oilfield exploration and production initiative.
He explained that this venture had delivered substantial benefits to Nigerian firms and urged them to position themselves to take on more demanding roles in future projects.
According to Adams, local companies could advance their expertise and continue to deliver services in areas such as logistics, drilling, fabrication, and the construction of subsea manifolds, mooring and loading systems, and pressure vessels.
He also noted that these firms could expand their capacity to supply gas processing equipment for deepwater operations and undertake procurement and civil engineering works in shallow water locations.
Since the commencement of production at Bonga in 2005, SNEPCo has consistently supported Nigerian contractors and service providers in building their technical capacity and strengthening their systems.
“This support has focused on developing robust systems and cultivating a competent workforce, with the goal of delivering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget, not only in Nigeria, but across the West African subregion,” Adams said.
He also credited this support with enabling Nigerian companies to assume key responsibilities in the safe and efficient operation of the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
According to him, the Bonga FPSO achieved a major milestone by producing its one-billionth barrel of oil on 3 February 2023.
Adams stated that SNEPCo regards the development of Nigerian content not merely as a regulatory obligation, but as a core business enabler.
“SNEPCo will continue to back Nigerian companies to play even greater roles in supporting oil and gas operations,” he added.
NOGOF 2025 was hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), under the theme: Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry Through Indigenous Capacity Development.
