OGRepublic August Edition

TOP STORY
the Bonga Floating production storage and
offloading (FPSO) vessel, offshore Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview at the sideline of
SAIPEC 2021, Bayo Ojulari, SNEPCO’s former
Managing Director, said the Digital Twin is a
new technology that can be used to virtually
identify critical areas for prioritised inspection,
maintenance and repair, reducing the need
and frequency on safety exposures associated
with physical inspections.
In his words, “SNEPCO's 'Digital Twin' is the
headline at SAIPEC.
Bayo Ojulari
“
There is a quick win to get
a Nigerian company to do
another digital twin for
SNEPCo, to open
opportunities. It is key if
we support a company to
build capabilities around
digital twin".
Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) has been a
pioneer to SAIPEC since the inception of the
event in 2017. SCiN has been contributing to
the development of the Nigerian business
sector by contracting local companies.
So far, SNEPCO has awarded major engineering
and construction contracts to indigenous
companies, have local staff, or possess
domestic capabilities in the country. These
companies were involved in the installation of
new production manifolds, subsea umbilical
systems, oil production and water injection
flowlines.
Take the Bonga FPSO, for example. During the
COVID-19 lockdown, it wasn’t possible to send
equipment overseas for maintenance and yet a
crucial compressor required an overhaul.
SNEPCO said, “We identified a local company
and we worked with them. We got it done and
we will continue to build local capacity as much
as possible.”
Adam Bradley, Bonga South West Aparo
Manager noted, “There is a much stronger
ambition now to build Nigerian capability.
“
Shell Photostory at SAIPEC
Adam Bradley
Creating investment
stability with enabling
terms and lease
extension will spark a
renaissance for the
Nigerian deep-water
oil and gas industry.
“We need to continue having rational,
professional discussions with the government,
stakeholders about developing local
businesses. The more projects we get, the
better it is for developing capability. It’s like with
anything, the more you practice the better you
get. Contracting transparency and ethics is
essential.
“I’m optimistic. The talent, understanding and
eagerness to deliver a project like Bonga South
West Aparo are here. If we collectively get the
enablers right, it will bring back the activity and
growth beyond what we’ve previously seen in
Nigeria".
Engr Simbi Wabote
Taking an overview of the Nigerian oil and gas
industry milestones, the country is wellpositioned
to become West Africa FPSO Yard
due to the vast numbers of indeginous
capabilities and capacities such as engineering
and technology service providers, quay lengths
& capacity, draft, heavy load platform, concrete
yard for topsides and hull apportionment
laydown to handle FPSO construction among
others.
Till date, Shell Companies in Nigeria is creating
massive jobs by investing in large energy
projects, awarding contracts to Nigerian
businesses and employing, training and
empowering Nigerians across its businesses.
Shell is building talent, across all its business
port folio, especially, in natural gas and deepwater
exploration. The company strongly
believe that its investments will enrich many
areas of the country for the future.
SNEPCO is keen to support indigenous
companies to develop a digital twin technology
for its deepwater operation among others.
The Bonga project is operated by SNEPCo,
which holds a 55% stake. The other project
partners are Esso Exploration & Production
Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited (20%), Total E&P
Nigeria Limited (12.5%) and Nigerian Agip
Exploration Limited (12.5%) under a Production
Sharing Contract with the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation.
Today, nearly one-third of Nigeria’s deep-water
production comes from the Bonga and Erha
fields.
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OIL AND GAS REPUBLIC I SPECIAL EDITION