Shell Expands Nigerian Operations with Major Offshore Gas Investment

By Emmanuel Miracle Naomi
Energy giant, Shell has approved the development of the HI gas field, an offshore project in partnership with Sunlink Energies, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) output and supporting domestic energy security.
According to a statement released on Monday, the project is expected to produce approximately 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, which will be supplied to the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island. The new development represents one of Shell’s most significant upstream investments in the country in recent years.
The project forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to boost gas production and reduce routine flaring, while expanding exports to meet global energy demand. It also aligns with the federal government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, which aims to harness Nigeria’s estimated 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves to drive economic growth and cleaner energy use.
Shell’s Country Chair for Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni, noted that the HI field will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s gas sector.
“This investment underscores our continued commitment to Nigeria and our belief in the country’s gas potential as a critical energy and industrial growth driver,” she said.
Sunlink Energies, the project’s local partner, expressed optimism that the development will stimulate jobs, infrastructure growth, and technology transfer within the Niger Delta region.
Industry analysts say the HI field project could help stabilize Nigeria’s LNG exports, which have been constrained in recent years by feed gas shortages and infrastructure challenges.
With this approval, construction and engineering work are expected to commence before the end of 2025, with production targeted for late 2027.