The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) successfully hosted its July 2026 Technical/Business Meeting on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, at the Lantana Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The meeting recorded an impressive turnout of 406 participants, comprising 219 physical attendees and 187 virtual participants, reflecting the broad interest in NAPE's technical programmes and industry engagements.
The meeting featured a technical presentation titled "Shell Nigeria's Bonga Field: From Discovery to Over One Billion Barrels of Production, Key Technical Insights, Milestones, and the Path Forward," delivered by Mr. Oludayo Fakunle, Asset Opportunities & Development Lead/Business Opportunities Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
The presentation examined the evolution of the Bonga Field from discovery to becoming Nigeria's flagship deepwater asset. Participants gained valuable insights into the OML 118 field development journey, seismic data acquisition, exploration activities, reservoir characterization, and the depositional concepts that led to the field's discovery.
The speaker also highlighted major operational milestones, including the achievement of over one billion barrels of cumulative oil production in March 2023, the successful development of eleven producing reservoirs with over eighty wells and sustained FPSO operating efficiency of approximately 95 to 98 percent. Participants further learned about the key enablers behind Bonga's long-term success, including effective leadership, safety culture, stakeholder collaboration, operational excellence, and the deployment of digital technologies and data-driven solutions to optimize field performance.
The technical session was chaired by Dr. Charles Otoghile, FNAPE, Senior Geoscience Manager, SLB, who moderated an engaging hybrid question-and-answer session that generated valuable discussions on deepwater exploration, field development, brownfield optimization, and the future of offshore production in Nigeria.
Members also received updates on upcoming NAPE Chapter Technical/Business Meetings, preparations for the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), the NAPE Secretariat Development Fundraising Initiative. The Association also celebrated Prof. O. S. Adegoke, FNAPE, recipient of the 2004 Aret Adams Award, on the occasion of his 90th birthday in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the geoscience profession.
The meeting also celebrated two distinguished NAPE Fellows for their outstanding industry recognitions. Members congratulated the Immediate Past President of NAPE, Mr. Johnbosco Uche, FNAPE, on receiving the Rising Star of the Year Award at the NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition 2026. The Association also celebrated Dr. Nosa Omorodion, FNAPE, Country Director for Nigeria at SLB, on his Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented at the African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Nigeria's energy industry and the geoscience profession.
As part of the meeting tradition, commemorative souvenirs were presented to the Speaker, Chairman, and Sponsor by the NAPE Vice President, Mr. Emmanuel Egbele, FNAPE, on behalf of the NAPE President, Mrs. Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE. The meeting was coordinated by the NAPE President-Elect, Dr. Anthony Ofoma, FNAPE, while the sponsor delivered appreciation remarks in support of NAPE's technical programmes.
Members who were unable to attend, or who wish to revisit the presentation, may watch the full meeting recording via the YouTube by clicking here.
Thank you for your continued participation and support. We look forward to welcoming you at future NAPE programmes and events.
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