TotalEnergies’ Managing Director, Matthieu Bouyer, has highlighted shared services as a strategic approach for reducing operational costs and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Speaking at the 43rd NAPE Annual Conference, Bouyer stressed that joint use of logistics, vessels, rigs, and infrastructure could optimize production, particularly in deepwater projects.

Key points from Bouyer’s address include:

• Shared assets enhance efficiency: The Q7000 vessel, introduced in 2022, is a successful example where multiple companies benefited, reducing capital duplication.
• Deepwater activity growth: Nigeria’s offshore projects, such as Akpo (2003), Bonga (2005), Erha (2006), and Egina (2018), require heavy capital investments per FPSO unit. Bouyer noted the sector slowed post-Egina but is now gaining momentum under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
• Optimizing existing production: Egina FPSO, capable of over 200,000 barrels per day, currently produces less due to natural field decline. TotalEnergies is pursuing tieback projects and new exploration to sustain and enhance output.
• Collaboration over competition: Shared services not only reduce costs but also improve responsiveness, operational uptime, and sector-wide competitiveness. Bouyer called on industry players to deepen collaboration for Nigeria to remain a leading deepwater hub in Africa.

Supporting the theme, NUPRC officials emphasized that clear regulations, technological adoption, and predictable outcomes are critical to operational efficiency.

Bouyer concluded that increased activity, shared infrastructure, and partnerships — both local and international — are essential to secure Nigeria’s position as a competitive deepwater oil and gas market while reducing costs and sustaining production growth.