SHELL Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has commenced a major turnaround maintenance programme on the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel as part of efforts to extend the life and improve the reliability of the offshore facility.

The exercise, described as a statutory and integrity assurance routine, is designed to ensure the long-term safe and efficient operation of one of Nigeria’s key deep-water oil assets.

The company pointed out that 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 (NNPC Ltd).

Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, said the maintenance is 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.

“We expect to resume operations in March following the completion of the turnaround,” he said.

According to the company, the scope of work covers statutory inspections, certification and regulatory compliance checks, and major asset-integrity upgrades. It also includes engineering modifications to improve long-term operations and subsea assurance activities.