Esso conducts groundbreaking for permanent base
By Our Reporter Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) an ExxonMobil affiliate, yesterday held a groundbreaking marking the commencement of development of a permanent Shore Base facility at the
By Our Reporter
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) an ExxonMobil affiliate, yesterday held a groundbreaking marking the commencement of development of a permanent Shore Base facility at the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL).
LADOL is building the purpose built Shore Base facility, with full funding support from EEPNL as a long term investment under a Logistics Base Contract.
When completed, the facility will form part of LADOL’s fully owned permanent infrastructure, while serving as EEPNL’s primary Shore Base supporting Erha FPSO operations
The Shore Base will provide critical logistics, warehousing, and supply chain services required to support EEPNL’s deepwater operations offshore Nigeria, while also strengthening the overall capacity of LADOL as a deepwater logistics hub.
The ceremony, held at LADOL, Apapa Port, Lagos, was attended by key government stakeholders, including senior officials of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the National Upstream Petroleum Investment Management Services (NUIMS), alongside industry partners.
When completed, the facility will comprise a modern administrative office, warehouse and storage infrastructure, including covered and overhang storage areas, chemical storage facilities, open laydown areas, and pipe sheds, designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in deepwater logistics operations.
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Construction of the Shore Base will be delivered largely by Nigerian companies, with Nigerians leading major phases of the project, from detailed engineering and design through construction and commissioning.
Commenting on the plan, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Jagir Baxi, described the project as a demonstration of long term commitment to Nigeria’s deepwater sector and a strong partnership with LADOL.
“This groundbreaking marks an important milestone in our long standing collaboration with LADOL and our partnership with Nigeria. By investing in a permanent Shore Base facility under a Logistics Base Contract at LADOL, we are strengthening the operational foundation that supports Erha production while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s local content aspirations and infrastructure development,” Baxi said.
He emphasized that the strategic location of the facility within LADOL would deliver operational and industry wide benefits.
“The proximity of this Shore Base to deepwater assets will improve logistics efficiency and operational readiness. Beyond our own operations, this investment strengthens LADOL’s infrastructure base and is expected to attract suppliers, service providers, and investors to expand their in country presence. It also creates opportunities for shared Shore Base resources that can improve cost efficiency across Nigeria’s deepwater industry”, he added.
The project represents a significant milestone for LADOL, becoming the first permanent full Shore Base facility constructed with full funding support by an International Oil Company within the Deep Offshore logistics base, further reinforcing LADOL’s role as a strategic hub for Nigeria’s deepwater oil and gas operations, while demonstrating how international oil companies can invest through long term lease models that support sustainable indigenous asset ownership.
In tangible terms, the development is expected to generate employment opportunities for Nigerians during the construction phase and throughout the lifecycle of the facility, while contributing to the growth of indigenous technical, logistics, and supply chain capabilities.
Through this long term Shore Base investment, Esso Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offshore production, advancing local capacity development, and creating long term value for Nigeria.
