Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company has begun turnaround maintenance on its Bonga floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, a move expected to temporarily reduce Nigeria’s crude oil exports. The maintenance started in early February and will keep the offshore facility offline for several weeks, Reuters said.
The Bonga FPSO, located about 120 kilometres offshore, has a production capacity of roughly 225,000 barrels of oil per day and 150 million cubic feet of gas per day, making it one of Nigeria’s most significant deepwater assets. Shell said the work is part of a statutory integrity and safety programme aimed at extending the vessel’s operational life, as outlined in company disclosures cited by ThisdayLive.
During the maintenance period, Nigeria’s oil exports are expected to decline by up to 225,000 barrels per day, with gas output also affected until operations resume in March. Industry sources told MarketScreener that such shutdowns are necessary to prevent unplanned outages and improve long-term reliability, particularly for ageing offshore infrastructure.
The maintenance coincides with preparations for future production growth from the Bonga North subsea development, which will rely on the FPSO once completed. Analysts say the temporary export disruption highlights Nigeria’s dependence on deepwater facilities while underscoring the need for sustained investment in asset maintenance and offshore expansion.
