By Christie U. Omonigho
Shell Nigeria has received the “Best Upstream Company” of the year 2024 award at the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja. The award was in recognition of the immeasurable contributions that have been made especially by Shell Petroleum Development of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in moving the Nigeria’s energy industry forward as well as helping to see her name written in gold amongst the comity of nations, whether as an oil and gas producer or not. Both companies have pioneered, over the years, oil production onshore and offshore.
Apparently the recognition was testamental, many at the forum said, to Shell Nigeria’s commitment and dedication to ensuring Nigeria’s energy industry development and growth. The award was received by the Company’s Senior Vice President in Nigeria Marno de Jong who also acknowledged the recognition of Shell’s contributions to the energy sector.
It would be recalled that Shell Nigeria has received similar awards in the past, including multiple awards at NIES 2023, and the 2024 SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition.
“We’re pleased with the recognition of our efforts in the upstream sector in Nigeria,” Marno said while commenting on the award. “We’re grateful to our partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the regulatory agencies, host communities, and other stakeholders for their support in our operations. We’d like to rely on their co-operation as we continue to power progress in Nigeria.”
Over the decades, Shell and its affiliate companies have contributed to launching Nigeria into the fray as a key player in the global oil and gas arena, having helped the country achieve its first oil export as far back as 1958. SNEPCo which is the upstream arm of Shell began production at Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water well, in 2005.
It is worth recalling again and again, notwithstanding allegations of violations of environmental and CSR rules, that the operations of Shell and its subsidiary companies have not only contributed to the national purse to finance infrastructure development and economic growth, it has also provided Nigerians the chance to acquire vital skills in the oil and gas sector while enabling indigenous businesses to grow their capacity. A robust social investment portfolio has also improved lives in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director SPDC Osagie Okunbor had this to say: “The NIES award is also a celebration of our commitment to Nigeria’s future through our latest investments. These include SPDC’s project for the construction of a facility at Iseni, Bayelsa State to supply 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMScF/d) to the Dangote Fertiliser and Petrochemical Plant in Lekki, Lagos State and the Final Investment Decision (FID) by SNEPCo on the Bonga North deep-water project valued at $5 billion. Our partnership with Nigeria remains strong and focused.”
Late last year, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) honoured Shell Companies in Nigeria for their contributions to the development of gas resources and Nigerian content.
NCDMB Commends Shell and its Affiliates for helping to build a strong Nigerian Content Portfolio
This was as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) could not wait in extending its gratitude to SPDC for the in-country fabrication of two Single Point Mooring (SPM) buoys by Prime Sources Limited (PSL,) an Indigenous company based in Warri, Delta State.
SPMs are floating facilities used for loading liquids and gas offshore and were first fabricated locally for the Bonga floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) in 2006 by Dorman Long Engineering Limited with headquarters in Lagos.
SPDC awarded the contract for the two buoys to the indigenous company, PSL, which is delivering the facilities in line with international standards even as was attested to by the International Registrar and Classification Society in Norway – Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and a team of resident engineers from IMODCO, PSL’s technical partner in France. The buoys would be installed offshore at Bonny and Forcados terminals this year.
“Awarding such a technically complex job to a local contractor highlights SPDC’s commitment to local content development,” NCDMB Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe even commented as he saw the volume of construction work at the project site at the popular Julius Berger port in Warri recently. “I want to especially commend SPDC for believing in the indigenous contractor. I commend the contractor for delivering the project in good time without any injury and thanking the community for their support.”
SPDC Director, and General Manager, Safety and Environment, Conventional Oil and Gas, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mrs. Elozino Olaniyan said: “The project reiterates Shell’s commitment to the economic development of Nigeria and improving the capacity of local vendors.”
SPDC’s Domestic Gas, Forcados Yokri Integrated Project and Terminals Project Manager, Chris Ubuane, said: “We’re pleased that PSL will deliver the first buoy within a year with a team of over 90% of Nigerians performing various tasks including project management, piping and structural fabrications, scaffolding, welding, fitting, blasting and painting. SPDC will continue to work with PSL to grow their capability in buoy fabrication and maintenance.”
Managing Director Prime Sources Limited, Francis Anyakwo thanked SPDC for the opportunity to “undertake this complex project,” as well as NCDMB for the support which has enabled the company to transform to a major subsea contractor in the oil and gas industry.
Secretary of the Ijaw Kingdom Traditional Council, Chief Anthony Jolomi, and representative of the Itsekiri Kingdom, Dr. Omiwere-Ete George Boyo, also expressed gratitude to SPDC for the project, pledging that the community would continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the area.