The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has announced a major advancement in Nigeria’s oil production sector with the upcoming completion of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility. This initiative, spearheaded by Century Group JV in collaboration with NNPC Limited, WAEP, and ENSERV, is expected to add 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) to Nigeria’s current output. The project is set to be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.
In an unscheduled visit over the weekend to the facility, Lokpobiri praised the partnership as an exemplary model of how collaboration can strengthen Nigeria’s oil industry.
He emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to increase the nation’s oil production capacity.
“The FPSO facility represents the kind of innovation and partnership needed to meet our national production goals. This project will enhance local expertise and production output, adding 40,000 barrels of crude oil daily to our capacity,” Lokpobiri stated.
The minister’s visit marks a critical milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector, which has faced several challenges in maintaining and expanding crude oil production.
The FPSO facility, equipped with hydrocarbon processing units for the separation and treatment of crude oil, water, and gases, will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by optimizing in-country production.
Ken Etete, the Group CEO of Century Group, expressed gratitude for Lokpobiri’s surprise visit, noting that the minister’s presence was a strong encouragement for the team. “This visit serves as motivation as we push to complete this project on schedule. It is a unique endeavor, with in-country upgrades, modifications, and deployment using Nigerian resources,” Etete remarked.
Etete also highlighted that this project is the first of its kind in Nigeria where an FPSO facility is upgraded entirely within the country, showcasing Nigeria’s growing technical expertise in energy infrastructure development.
The upgrades are progressing well and are on track for completion by early next year.
“This fits perfectly into the government’s philosophy of increasing oil production in the short and medium term, and we are proud to contribute to this national goal,” Etete added.
Since its establishment in 2002, Century Energy has played a pivotal role in the country’s energy sector, indirectly participating in over 50 high-impact projects valued at more than $10 billion.
These initiatives have significantly boosted the country’s energy infrastructure, contributing to daily crude oil production of over 200,000 bpd.
Century Energy’s operational portfolio includes four FPSO units, including the newly acquired Sendje Berge, alongside four flow stations, one MOPU (Mobile Offshore Production Unit), and one FSO (Floating Storage Offloading Unit). The company’s ability to execute these ambitious projects underscores its role as a critical player in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
As Nigeria looks to improve its oil production capacity and modernize its energy infrastructure, Lokpobiri’s support for projects like the Century FPSO JV demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering innovation, efficiency, and local participation in the oil industry. The minister reaffirmed that the project will enhance Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global energy market, ensuring sustainable growth and progress in the sector.
