The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has long been a catalyst for growth and self-reliance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Its focused plan to upscale indigenous companies has borne fruit with the establishment of an in-demand pipe threading and valve assembly plant by Bell Oil & Gas at the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos. This strategic move is a testament to the NCDMB’s commitment to fostering local expertise and reducing dependency on imported tools and equipment.

The commissioning of this multi-million dollar facility on Tuesday 5 November 2024 was a significant event, graced by the presence of Engr. Felix Ogbe, the Board’s Executive Secretary, and representing the Governor of Lagos State who could not be around, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment. Their presence underscored the collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector in achieving this landmark project.

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Bell Oil & Gas, a homegrown company was the reason why they were gathered. The organisation has demonstrated remarkable foresight and commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. By investing in this key infrastructure, they have positioned themselves as a pivotal player in meeting the industry’s growing demand. The facility is not just a structure of steel and machinery; it represents a step towards self-sufficiency and a brighter economic future for Nigeria.

The plant’s inauguration marks the beginning of a new era where the reliance on imports to fix tools needed by energy companies is expected to diminish significantly. This shift is crucial for the country’s economic landscape, as it promises to retain capital within the nation, create job opportunities, and build technical competencies among the local workforce.

Engr. Ogbe, during the commissioning, lauded Bell Oil & Gas for their strategic investment, which aligns with the NCDMB’s vision of driving local content and building the nation’s capacity. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also expressed his support for the project, highlighting its potential to contribute to the state’s and the nation’s economic development.

At the commissioning, Engr. Ogbe said the need for quality piping and threading services cannot be overstated. The Executive Secretary see this with major projects such as the Dangote Refinery, the Total Energies Ubeta gas project, AKK Gas Pipeline, and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline. As a result of these efforts, the demand for these services continues to grow, he says. Bell Oil & Gas is positioning itself well to meet this demand, reducing our dependence on imported materials and services and ensuring that we retain the economic benefits within our borders.

Reviewing the newly launched Lekki Free Zone plant, he said the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology which would ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency in pipe threading and valve assembly is acquired.

Another vision is for it to serve the needs of the burgeoning oil and gas industry, not just in Nigeria but across the West African region. This development indicates Nigeria’s progress in industrialisation and its move towards becoming a hub for oil and gas services in Africa.

Bell Oil & Gas’s Chief Executive Officer is Dr. Kayode Thomas who envisioned his company’s latest asset as yet another evidence that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 is working. This goes back up to the organisation’s first major success in the deep-water space when it won the contract for the installation of Composite Pipes on the Bonga FPSO with Shell in 2004.

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Part of the major line pipe and OCTG contracts with several key players in the oil and gas industry include the one held with Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total, Agip, Addax, Afren and Seplat, between 2005 and 2010.

According to the CEO, the plant will produce the capacity needed for 50,000 tonnes of OCTG threading, machining, repairs, pup joints, cross-overs, and other accessories that drilling operations will most certainly need.

Meiza Nigeria