Shell successfully completes Bonga oil field TAM, resumes production on record time
Chances of increased oil production and sales are becoming clear following the successful completion of turnaround maintenance (TAM) on the offshore field of the Bonga oil field, the nation’s first deepwater development.
Business Hilights recalls that earlier in March, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited announced the shutdown of the field to enable it commence the maintenance.
Details gathered from the Corporate Media Relations Manager at Shell, Precious Okolobo, gave a clear signal that the maintenance was completed on schedule, with the first well opened up on April 8, adding that production was ramping up.
In a statement, the Managing Director, SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, said “This is another milestone for the Bonga team. Having won the ‘Asset of the Year’ award 2016 in the Shell Group, the Bonga team ably took up the challenge of achieving the three major components of the turnaround maintenance: statutory and regulatory safety checks, inspections, repairs and replacement of equipment and upgrades.”
Okolobo revealed that major focus during the repairs was placed on the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, which is at the heart of the Bonga operations. The Bonga FPSO has the capacity to produce 225,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
It would be recalled that SNEPCo operates Bonga in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deep Water) Limited; Total E&P Nigeria Limited; and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited under a Production Sharing Contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Experts say with the return of the Bonga Field, chances are that Nigeria’s oil output may rise sharply in coming days.
