NCDMB moves to secure local services in Bonga, Ubeta projects
- Visits Samsung, Africoat facilities
Sopuruchi Onwuka
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has restated its resolve to ensure utilization of local firms with proven capabilities in delivering key petroleum industry projects in the country.
Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, declared on Monday that that whereas the agency would continue partnering with IOCs to develop new projects, it has mandate to ensure that key scopes of the projects are delivered in-country.
He pointed out that the utilization of local capacity in the development of new oilfields by TotalEnergies, Shell and Eni in the country must be guided by the provision of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
In preparation of its local capacity audit ahead of the projects, Engr. Ogbe on Monday visited the facilities of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN) and Africoat Nigeria Limited located at Takwa Bay in Lagos.
The team from NCDMB led by Engr Omatshola Ogbe (m) assemble with host team at SHI yard at Takwa Bay in Lagos
The NCDMB stated that the visit is consistent with Ogbe’s determination to assess oil and gas facilities across the country as a prelude for their participation in ongoing and upcoming major oil industry projects.
It would be recalled that the NCDMB played key roles in accelerating approvals for the new projects, which include Ubeta gas development project, currently being developed by Total Energies; and Bonga North deepwater project for which Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) announced the final investment decision (FID) in December 2024.
Similarly, Zabazaba deep-water project is being readied by ENI and Shell, just as preparations for new gas projects are being made by (SNEPCo).
Engr Ogbe reiterated the agency’s determination to continue partnering with international oil companies (IOCs) to develop new projects, and to ensure they execute key scopes of those projects using local firms with proven capabilities, as mandated by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
He asserted that NCDMB’s mandate and activities are contributing to actualizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda, particularly in catalyzing new oil and gas projects, job creation and economic revitalization.
At the Samsung Heavy Industries, the Managing Director, Mr. Jin Lee highlighted the firm’s in-country capacities, which include heavy fabrication and FPSO integration quayside. He reiterated the company experience in executing major oil and gas projects, notably the fabrication and integration of six modules for the TotalEnergies’ Egina FPSO in 2018.
The Business Development Manager, SHIN, Mr. David Bruce Inglissaid the company trains welders in different specialization andhad trained 560 welders during the execution of the Egina project, including women. He said the facility employed over 1000 persons at the peak of the Egina project, but the capacity was now scaled down to 131,owing to lack of projects. The company he said has the database of past employees and would re-engage some of them if they win a new major project.
He also hinted that the company planned to manufacture oil and gas components and equipment in Nigeria for export to other parts of the world. He confirmed that the SHIN facility had adequate installed capacity and capabilities for export, and Nigeria enjoys a vintage geographical location for such business opportunities.
At Africoat, the NCDMB boss challenged the firm’s management to resolve the protracted dispute they have with their bankers, as well as their landlord, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), which stopped the plant from operating since its completion in 2017. He suggested that a peaceful settlement would allow for the plant to be rehabilitated, before it can work for the industry, and benefit the investors, and create jobs for the economy.
The Managing Director of Africoat, Mr. Frank Twynam confirmed that efforts were ongoing to resolve the impasse. He noted that $42 million was invested to develop the corrosion and concrete weight coating plant, hinting that a robust plan was already in place to restore the facility once the dispute is resolved.
