Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has announced the commencement of production from the Bonga Phase 3 project.

Bonga Phase 3 is an extension of the Bonga Main development, with peak production expected to be 50,000 boe.

This is to be transported through existing pipelines to the Bonga floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility, which has the capacity to produce more than 200,000 BO and 150 mmscf/d.

“This new start up is another important milestone for Bonga, adding valuable new production to this major facility.” Andrew Brown, Shell’s Upstream International Director, told Subseaworldnews.

The Bonga field, which began producing oil and gas in 2005, was Nigeria’s first deep-water development in depths of more than 1,000 metres. Bonga has produced over 600 million BO till date.

The Bonga project is operated by SNEPCo as contractor under a production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which holds the lease for OML 118, in which the Bonga field is situated. SNEPCo holds a 55% contractor interest in OML 118. Other co-ventures are Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd with20%, Total E&P Nigeria Ltd with 12.5% and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd with12.5%.