Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. (SNEPCo) completed the first remotely controlled well completion operation offshore Nigeria.
The operation was performed at Bonga field in 1,060 m of water and performed using a remotely operated controls system (ROCS) supplied by Optime Subsea AS.
ROCS eliminates the need for both the umbilical, which traditionally connects the surface to the seabed for controlling the tubing hanger in subsea well completions, and the topside hydraulic control unit, the service provider said in a release FEb. 27.
Bonga lies 120 km offshore in water depths over 1,000 m across a 60-sq-km area. The field has capacity to produce more than 200,000 bo/d and 150 MMscfd gas.
SNEPCo operates the Bonga project as contractor with 55% interest under a production-sharing contract with Nigerian National Petroleum Co., which holds the lease for OML 118 containing Bonga field. Partners are Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd. 20%, Total E&P Nigeria Ltd. 12.5%, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd. 12.5%.
