Nigeria’s crude oil exports are expected to fall by around 225,000 barrels per day in February due to the temporary shutdown of the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel for routine maintenance.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, operator of the Bonga field, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.

The maintenance affects one of the country’s largest deepwater production facilities, coming as Nigeria seeks to stabilise output and increase foreign exchange earnings from oil exports.

The company said maintenance work has begun on the Bonga FPSO, leading to a temporary suspension of production until completion, with output expected to resume in March.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company explained that the turnaround maintenance is a mandatory exercise aimed at safeguarding the facility’s long-term integrity and sustaining production levels.

It added that the planned shutdown is essential to ensure safe and efficient operations going forward.

“The scheduled maintenance is designed to reduce unplanned deferments, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the asset’s overall resilience,” said SNEPCo Managing Director, Mr. Ronald Adams.

“We expect to resume production in March following the successful completion of the turnaround.”

He added, “On February 1, 2023, the Bonga asset produced its one billionth barrel of oil since operations commenced in 2005.”

He said the milestone underscores the field’s key role in Nigeria’s deepwater operations.

The company said the maintenance programme will prepare the Bonga FPSO for an additional 15 years of dependable operations, strengthening its position in Nigeria’s oil production landscape.

The Bonga FPSO remains one of the country’s most vital offshore facilities, having consistently supported national output for almost two decades.

Located about 120 kilometres off Nigeria’s coast in waters deeper than 1,000 metres, the facility started production in 2005, representing a major breakthrough in the country’s deepwater oil development.

The previous turnaround maintenance on the Bonga FPSO took place in October 2022, underscoring the importance of periodic shutdowns to preserve the asset’s long-term integrity.

SNEPCo said the current turnaround maintenance involves extensive work on both the surface and subsea components of the facility.

The company added that the activities are essential to maintain compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.

The Bonga FPSO has a designed capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil per day, accounting for the significant drop expected in Nigeria’s crude exports during the maintenance period.

Beyond crude oil, the facility can also produce up to 150 million standard cubic feet of gas daily.