November 07, (THEWILL) – Bell Oil & Gas has officially launched its state-of-the-art pipe threading and valve assembly facility at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos State.
The commissioning ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem,
In his address, Engr. Ogbe commended Bell Oil & Gas for its strategic investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, emphasizing the company’s vital role in bolstering the country’s energy infrastructure.
He highlighted the importance of the new plant, noting that it will contribute significantly to meeting the growing demand for critical components like piping, threading, and valves, essential to key projects such as the Dangote Refinery, the Total Energies Ubeta gas project, and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.
“The demand for quality piping and threading services cannot be overstated.
“Bell Oil & Gas is positioning itself well to meet this demand, reducing our reliance on imported materials and ensuring that the economic benefits of this industry stay within our borders,” Ogbe said.
He further praised Bell Oil & Gas for honoring its commitment to the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate issued by NCDMB, an important step in promoting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign companies.
The certificate prioritizes firms that set up facilities for manufacturing or assembling components used in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
CEO of Bell Oil & Gas, Dr. Kayode Thomas, described the facility as a testament to the success of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, which encourages local capacity building.
He reflected on the company’s milestones, including its first major contract with Shell for the installation of composite pipes on the Bonga FPSO in 2004, and its subsequent successful contracts with major industry players such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Seplat.
The new plant, which began operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, will provide 50,000 tons of capacity for OCTG threading, machining, repairs, and the production of pup joints and other accessories for drilling operations.
Thomas pointed out that the facility is fully operated by Nigerians and is the first of its kind in Lagos.
Despite the ambitious scope of the project, Thomas revealed that the plant was funded without support from any local commercial banks, urging financial institutions to provide greater support for oil and gas projects.
He also called on the NCDMB to revise the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund to make it more accessible for local companies, stressing the need for financial backing to ensure sustained growth in the sector.
Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem, representing Sanwo-Olu, expressed the state’s commitment to supporting investors in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
She praised Bell Oil & Gas for creating employment opportunities and contributing to the realization of the Free Zone’s vision.
She assured stakeholders that the Lagos State government would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate investment and economic growth in the region.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
