First Made-In-Nigeria Carbon Steel Pipes Emerge

The Shell Petroleum Development Company’s  local content initiative has recorded another
major success as the first set of carbon steel pipes manufactured in Nigeria
for SPDC’s Trans Niger Pipeline is now ready for use.

“This is a perfect example of promoting the use of locally
manufactured goods and Nigerian service companies in production operations,
projects and well engineering,” said General Manager, Nigerian Content
Development, SPDC, Igo Weli, adding that, “it supports the Federal Government’s
drive to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry.”

In a statement last Friday, Shell Spokesperson, Precious
Okolobo, said that in accordance with SPDC’s safety guidelines, the line pipes
have successfully passed quality assurance and control tests.

According to him, the original line pipe contract for $37
million was agreed with Nigerian manufacturer SCC Nigeria Limited in the third
quarter of 2011, and work began immediately.

The manufacturing facility was established, contractor staff
trained and the first batch of line pipe delivered within 12 months of the
contract award.

Acknowledging SPDC’s contribution, Executive Secretary of
the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa, said: “SPDC
has continued to demonstrate its support for Nigerian content development. This
is an example we wish to see replicated across the Nigerian oil and gas
industry.”

Shell companies in Nigeria are also supporting the Nigerian
Institute of Welding (NIW) to establish a world-class testing centre in Benin,
Edo State, with the objective of training welders who will provide the
workforce needed in the industry.

Shell companies in Nigeria have facilitated meetings between
Nigerian entrepreneurs and their counterparts in Britain and China to explore
partnership opportunities.

In 2007, SPDC started the Community Content Initiative to
address the needs of communities and community vendors in search of
opportunities to render goods and services to the oil and gas industry.