By:Offhoremag

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. (SNEPCo) is set to strengthen its operated interest in the oil mining lease (OML) production sharing contract in the Niger Delta, which includes the Bonga Field.

Assuming regulatory approvals and other conditions, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria will transfer its 12.5% stake in the OML, lifting SNEPCo’s share to 67.5%. Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria and Nigerian Agip Exploration are the other partners.

The Bonga Field produces oil via an FPSO. Last December the partners sanctioned the development of the Bonga North Field thought to hold more than 300 MMboe-plus recoverable, as a subsea tieback to the FPSO.

Bonga, in water depths of more than 1,000 m, came onstream in 2005 and had produced over 1 Bbbl by 2023. The FPSO has a production capacity of 225,000 bbl/d of oil.

At peak, Bonga North should add 110,000 bbl/d, with first oil expected by the end of this decade.

Nicolas Terraz, president Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, said the company’s present focus in Nigeria is on its operated gas and offshore oil assets, such as Agbami and Akpo.