Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited has urged Nigerian firms to strategically position themselves to tap into expanding opportunities in its deepwater and shallow offshore oil and gas projects.

The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, made this disclosure at the fifth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday

Adams called for increased collaboration to drive investment and production growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The three-day event, NOGOF 2025, organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, themed “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry Through Indigenous Capacity Development,” focuses on leveraging local expertise and building indigenous capacity to ensure long-term sustainability in the sector.

Adams, represented by SNEPCo’s Head of Supply Chain, Charles Oranyeli, emphasized that upcoming projects—Bonga South West Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main life extension—offer major opportunities to enhance local capacity and strengthen the technical capabilities of Nigerian companies. He noted that these developments align with the goals of the NOGOF 2025 theme by fostering indigenous participation and advancing sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector.

“SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater frontier with the Bonga development as the first deepwater oilfield exploration and production venture in the country, our operations have greatly benefitted Nigerian businesses, and we expect them to get ready to take up more opportunities,” Adams stated.

He highlighted the potential for Nigerian companies to enhance their capabilities and expand their services in key areas such as logistics, drilling, fabrication, subsea manifold construction, mooring and loading systems, pressure vessel production, and the supply of gas processing equipment for deep-water projects.

Additionally, he pointed out opportunities in procurement and civil works for shallow water developments.

Since beginning production at Bonga in 2005, SNEPCo has actively fostered the growth of local contractors and service providers by investing in workforce development and implementing strong operational systems to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective project execution. According to Adams, these initiatives have enabled Nigerian firms to take on vital roles in the safe operation of the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel—a milestone underscored by the production of its one-billionth barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.

“SNEPCo sees Nigerian content development as a business driver and not a regulatory requirement and will continue to support our companies to play even bigger roles in their support for oil and gas operations,” he added.

SNEPCo as one of the sponsors of the event, reaffirms its commitment to national economic growth and community development through a dedicated exhibition booth.