BONGA
- Latitude: 4.55737
- Longitude: 4.6164
- West Africa
- Offshore Terminal in Nigeria
Address: Nigeria
Bonga is a major offshore oil field located off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea. Operated by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, the Bonga field was a pioneering project in Nigeria's deepwater oil-and-gas sector.
Description:
- Location: Approximately 120 kilometers southwest of the Niger Delta, in water depths of around 1,000 meters.
- Field Discovery: The Bonga field was discovered in 1996.
- Production Commencement: First oil was produced in 2005.
- Operator: Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
- Partners: The Bonga Production Sharing Contract (PSC) includes partnerships with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Eni.
Key Components:
Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Unit:
- Bonga FPSO: The FPSO vessel used at Bonga is one of the largest in the world. It has an oil storage capacity of around 2 million barrels and can process up to 225,000 barrels of oil, and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
- Dimensions:
- Length: Approx. 300 meters.
- Width: Approx. 75 meters.
- Features: The FPSO processes crude oil, stores it, and offloads it onto shuttle tankers for export. It is equipped with various topside processing modules, living quarters for staff, and facilities for gas lift, gas injection, water injection, and crude exporting.
Subsea Infrastructure:
- Subsea Wells: The field includes more than 40 subsea wells linked to the FPSO by an extensive network of pipelines and risers.
- Flowlines and Risers: These connect the subsea wells to the FPSO, enabling the transportation of hydrocarbons to the processing facility on the FPSO.
Export Infrastructure:
- Shuttle Tankers: Processed and stored crude oil is transferred from the FPSO to shuttle tankers, which transport the oil to onshore terminals or directly to international markets.
Production Capacity and Reserves:
- The Bonga field has significant reserves, estimated at around 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
- The daily production rate has the potential to reach around 200,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas.
Significance:
- Economic Contribution: Bonga has been a significant contributor to Nigeria's oil production and revenue.
- Technological Achievement: The Bonga project was one of the first deepwater operations in Nigeria, showcasing advanced engineering and technological innovation in offshore oil extraction.
- Operational Challenges: The offshore environment poses challenges including deepwater drilling, subsea infrastructure maintenance, and the need for sophisticated FPSO operations.
Environmental and Safety Standards:
- Shell has implemented various health, safety, and environmental protocols to mitigate risks associated with offshore drilling and production.
- These include oil spill contingency plans, regular maintenance and inspection routines, and adherence to both local and international safety regulations.
Future Prospects:
- Continued exploration and development efforts in the surrounding areas may expand the lifespan and productivity of the Bonga field.
- Technological advancements and investments in infrastructure could further enhance the efficiency and capacity of the field.
The Bonga field stands as a significant achievement in Nigeria's oil and gas sector and continues to play a pivotal role in the country's energy landscape.