Shell starts production from Bonga Phase 3 project offshore Nigeria

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has started production from the Bonga Phase 3 project.

Bonga Phase 3 is an expansion of the Bonga Main development, with peak production expected to be some 50,000 boed. This will be transported through existing pipelines to the Bonga FPSO facility, which has the capacity to produce more than 200,000 bopd and 150 MMcfgd.

Bonga field, which began producing oil and gas in 2005, was Nigeria’s first deepwater development, with a water depth of more than 1,000 m. Bonga has produced over 600 MMbbl of oil to date.

“This new start up is another important milestone for Bonga, adding valuable new production to this major facility,” Andrew Brown, Shell’s Upstream International Director, said.

The Bonga project is operated by SNEPCo as contractor under a production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, which holds the lease for OML 118, in which Bonga field is located.

SNEPCo holds a 55% contractor interest in OML 118. The other co-venturers are Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd (20%), Total E&P Nigeria Ltd (12.5%) and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd (12.5%).