Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, signed an agreement with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited on May 28 to acquire its 12.5% stake in the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract (OML 118 PSC), an oil mining lease offshore Nigeria that includes the Bonga field. Upon completion, this transaction increases Shell’s interest in the OML 118 PSC from 55% to 67.5%.
SNEPCo is the operator under the OML 118 PSC. It currently produces from the Bonga field via the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel and announced the development of the Bonga North field in December 2024.
“Following our final investment decision on Bonga North last year, this acquisition brings another significant investment in Nigeria deep-water that contributes to sustained liquids production and growth in our Upstream portfolio,” said Peter Costello, Shell’s President, Upstream.
TotalEnergies has also in its media release confirmed that its subsidiary TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (TEPNG) signed an agreement with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) for the sale of its non-operated 12.5% interest in the OML118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for an amount of $ 510 million.
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.
“TotalEnergies continues to actively high-grade its Upstream portfolio, to focus on assets with low technical costs and low emissions, and to lower its cash breakeven” said Nicolas Terraz, President Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies. “In Nigeria, the Company is focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets and is currently progressing the development of Ubeta project, designed to sustain gas supply to Nigeria LNG.”
OML118 PSC is operated by SNEPCo (55%), in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (20%), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (12.5%), and Nigerian Agip Exploration (12.5%). Located deep offshore at 120 km south of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, it contains the Bonga field, which started production in 2005, as well as the Bonga North field, the development of which started in 2024. Production from the OML 118 PSC, which is mainly oil, represents approximately 11,000 boe/d in Company share in 2024.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
