Shell is studying plans for a second newbuild FPSO vessel to further develop its deepwater reserves off Nigeria, following on from the success of its original world-class Bonga project.

The Anglo-Dutch major was already known to be well underway with plans to develop its estimated US $12 billion Bonga South West-Aparo discovery via one newbuild FPSO, with significant Nigerian content levels. Concept selection for this project, spanning OMLs 118, 132 and 140, was performed in Nigeria. The tender process for the single point moored facility – which would be the world’s largest FPSO – is still currently out to tender, with bidders including Samsung and Hyundai.

According to Jerry Jackson, Shell’s general manager for deepwater Nigeria, a Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected before the end of this year on Bonga SW-Aparo.

However, Jackson also went on to reveal that the company is considering a “possible concept” for a second FPSO for its Bonga North discovery also in OML 118. That facility would sit in 1,100 m (3,608 ft) of water, with the aim of producing the field via up to about 29 subsea wells.

“It’s got to be close enough together with Bonga SW-Aparo so we can look at standardization,” he said, meaning a possible replicant FPSO project could be on the cards. However, DI understands the FPSO facility itself is likely to end up being smaller scale than that planned for Bonga SW-Aparo.

Bonga North is estimated to hold around 525 MMbbl of oil. According to Jackson it is also, potentially, up for an FID before the end of the year, putting it on a fast-track schedule.

Shell previously issued a tender in August last year to source linepipe for Bonga SW-Aparo, a field which lies in a water depth of 1,400 m (4,592 ft) some 135 km (84 miles) offshore. It has a planned processing capacity for up to 225,000 b/d of oil and storage for 2.5 MMbbl. The FPSO will be spread-moored with 82 km (50 miles) of subsea line pipe, including four production loops, three water injection lines, a 16-inch 90 km (61 mile) gas export line and 70 km of static umbilicals.

Shell indicated it was looking to award a contract for the supply of linepipe for the project during this quarter. The tender includes linepipe for production, water injection, gas export and gas lift service, along with flex joints and bend stiffeners.

The original Bonga field itself has been producing since 2005, and with the field approaching ‘middle age’ Shell is now adopting a life preservation approach.

That includes phases such as the development of Bonga NW, which is under construction as a 12-well, 40,000 b/d subsea project to be tied back to the existing FPSO. Bonga NW sits in approximately 900-1,200 m (2,953-3,937 ft) of water.

Offshore