TOP STORYthe Bonga Floating production storage andoffloading (FPSO) vessel, offshore Nigeria.In an exclusive interview at the sideline ofSAIPEC 2021, Bayo Ojulari, SNEPCO’s formerManaging Director, said the Digital Twin is anew technology that can be used to virtuallyidentify critical areas for prioritised inspection,maintenance and repair, reducing the needand frequency on safety exposures associatedwith physical inspections.In his words, “SNEPCO's 'Digital Twin' is theheadline at SAIPEC.Bayo Ojulari“There is a quick win to geta Nigerian company to doanother digital twin forSNEPCo, to openopportunities. It is key ifwe support a company tobuild capabilities arounddigital twin".Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) has been apioneer to SAIPEC since the inception of theevent in 2017. SCiN has been contributing tothe development of the Nigerian businesssector by contracting local companies.So far, SNEPCO has awarded major engineeringand construction contracts to indigenouscompanies, have local staff, or possessdomestic capabilities in the country. Thesecompanies were involved in the installation ofnew production manifolds, subsea umbilicalsystems, oil production and water injectionflowlines.Take the Bonga FPSO, for example. During theCOVID-19 lockdown, it wasn’t possible to sendequipment overseas for maintenance and yet acrucial compressor required an overhaul.SNEPCO said, “We identified a local companyand we worked with them. We got it done andwe will continue to build local capacity as muchas possible.”Adam Bradley, Bonga South West AparoManager noted, “There is a much strongerambition now to build Nigerian capability.“Shell Photostory at SAIPECAdam BradleyCreating investmentstability with enablingterms and leaseextension will spark arenaissance for theNigerian deep-wateroil and gas industry.“We need to continue having rational,professional discussions with the government,stakeholders about developing localbusinesses. The more projects we get, thebetter it is for developing capability. It’s like withanything, the more you practice the better youget. Contracting transparency and ethics isessential.“I’m optimistic. The talent, understanding andeagerness to deliver a project like Bonga SouthWest Aparo are here. If we collectively get theenablers right, it will bring back the activity andgrowth beyond what we’ve previously seen inNigeria".Engr Simbi WaboteTaking an overview of the Nigerian oil and gasindustry milestones, the country is wellpositionedto become West Africa FPSO Yarddue to the vast numbers of indeginouscapabilities and capacities such as engineeringand technology service providers, quay lengths& capacity, draft, heavy load platform, concreteyard for topsides and hull apportionmentlaydown to handle FPSO construction amongothers.Till date, Shell Companies in Nigeria is creatingmassive jobs by investing in large energyprojects, awarding contracts to Nigerianbusinesses and employing, training andempowering Nigerians across its businesses.Shell is building talent, across all its businessport folio, especially, in natural gas and deepwaterexploration. The company stronglybelieve that its investments will enrich manyareas of the country for the future.SNEPCO is keen to support indigenouscompanies to develop a digital twin technologyfor its deepwater operation among others.The Bonga project is operated by SNEPCo,which holds a 55% stake. The other projectpartners are Esso Exploration & ProductionNigeria (Deepwater) Limited (20%), Total E&PNigeria Limited (12.5%) and Nigerian AgipExploration Limited (12.5%) under a ProductionSharing Contract with the Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation.Today, nearly one-third of Nigeria’s deep-waterproduction comes from the Bonga and Erhafields.52OIL AND GAS REPUBLIC I SPECIAL EDITION
TRANSFORMATIONAL DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGYFOR BEST-IN-CLASS STRUCTURALINTEGRITY MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUTALL PHASES OF FPSO LIFECYCLEwww.akselos.com
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