Shell Launches Search for 150,000 BPD FPSO as Bonga South West Project Races Toward 2027 Decision
Shell has opened expressions of interest from companies to supply a 150,000 barrels per day floating production, storage and offloading vessel for its deep-water Bonga South West-Aparo project in Nigeria, marking a significant step forward for the long-delayed development. The submission window, which remains open until March 2026, represents the first major procurement activity for the standalone project since expressions of interest were last sought before the COVID-19 pandemic.
High-level sources close to the project emphasize that this is an expression of interest exercise designed to identify firms capable of taking on the assignment, rather than a formal prequalification process. The move comes as Shell targets a Final Investment Decision by 2027, though not all partners in the venture appear equally enthusiastic about the accelerated timeline. ExxonMobil, one of the key partners, has reportedly shown limited excitement about the fast-paced proceedings, though Shell sources insist the company remains fully determined to deliver the project.
Discovered in 2001, Bonga South West-Aparo is a complex straddle play involving Bonga South in Oil Mining Lease 118 and Aparo in Chevron-operated OMLs 132 and 140. The project partners include Shell, ENI and ExxonMobil in OML 118, with Chevron and Lukoil holding stakes in OMLs 132 and 140. Unlike other Bonga satellites currently producing or under construction, which are tied back to the Bonga Main FPSO, this development will be a standalone project with its own dedicated floating facility.
Preliminary studies suggest that 24 wells will drain 759.56 million barrels of oil equivalent, comprised of 644.86 million barrels of crude oil and condensate alongside 688.17 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas reserves, according to third-party data. The development has languished on the drawing board for over a decade, but Nigeria’s improved fiscal terms for deepwater projects in recent years have renewed optimism for the venture.
During the 2019 expression of interest phase, numerous companies showed interest in the FPSO package, including major shipbuilders and engineering firms such as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and various consortiums involving Saipem, SBM Offshore, COSCO, and others. Industry observers will be watching closely to see which companies step forward this time around.
Source: africaoilgasreport.com
