NCDMB ES praises Brightwaters capacity for oil industry projects
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has commended Brightwaters Energy Limited for its ability to effectively undertake oil industry projects.
Engr. Ogbe made the remarks during a visit to the company’s facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, accompanied by senior officials from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The visit, which took place at Brightwaters Energy’s locations in Choba, Port Harcourt, and Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area, followed the NCDMB Executive Secretary’s previous visit to the company and several pipe coating facilities in May 2024. During that earlier visit, he had pledged the Board’s support for local service companies, promoting opportunities in the oil and gas sector and contributing to job creation in the economy.
The purpose of this most recent visit was to assess the company’s upgrades to its technical capabilities, which will enable Brightwaters Energy to compete effectively for future industry projects.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Engr. Ogbe reiterated the Board’s commitment to ensuring that the capabilities of local oil and gas service companies are recognised and properly utilised by industry operators. He emphasised that such initiatives would contribute to boosting local content and job creation, aligning with the economic goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary highlighted Brightwaters’ successful track record in executing projects within the exploration and production sectors, noting that its clients include major oil and gas operators such as SPDC and Chevron Nigeria Limited. He expressed confidence that the company possesses the necessary capabilities to handle key scopes in upcoming industry projects.
Engr. Ogbe also called on operating oil and gas companies to support qualified local service providers, ensuring that the best quality services are delivered on time and to the highest standards.
During the event, Brightwaters’ Community and Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Solomon Aluge, confirmed that the company has been engaging with the SPDC team and is equipped to undertake both heavy and light fabrication works. He noted that Brightwaters has successfully carried out numerous onshore and offshore pipeline engineering and installation projects for various clients.
Aluge further mentioned that the company is currently preparing for pipeline works with Chevron and Tulcan.
The CEO of Brightwaters, Mr. Scott Gregory, welcomed Engr. Ogbe and the SPDC representatives, expressing his pleasure at their visit. He reassured attendees that the company possesses substantial capabilities to serve the oil and gas industry. Gregory also provided technical details about several offshore and onshore projects executed by the company over the years, affirming that upcoming field projects are well within Brightwaters’ competencies.
Key facilities visited during the tour included a blast furnace, where the process of smelting was demonstrated through the use of hot compressed air blasted into the furnace from below. Another highlight was the multipurpose offshore construction vessel, the Sea Horizon Derrick Lay Barge, which has a heavy-lift capacity of 1,320 tons. The company noted that the vessel’s marine construction activities include the installation of rigid and flexible pipelines, risers, and umbilicals (flexible hoses that connect surface equipment to subsea equipment).
Following the facility tour, the General Manager of Local Content at Shell, Mr. Lanre Olawuyi, expressed the company’s positive impressions of Brightwaters Energy’s facilities and technical capabilities. He indicated that Shell’s technical teams would review their reports and make decisions on how to engage the company in some upcoming projects.
Olawuyi also noted the significant upgrades Brightwaters has made to its facilities since the last visit in May 2024. He expressed optimism that these improvements would attract more industry patronage, enabling the company to regain its former prominence in the sector.
The entourage accompanying the Executive Secretary included the Director of the Project Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, Deputy Manager of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, and technical staff member Mr. Ilu Ozekhome.