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FACT CHECK: Is Shell ending its operations in Nigeria?

Bunmi.aduloju@thecable.ng'byBunmi Aduloju
January 18, 2024 3:28 pm

In the wake of Shell’s decision to end its onshore exploration business in Nigeria, several social media posts have alleged that the British oil giant is exiting the country.

Reacting to Shell’s announcement, some Nigerians on social media commented with varying, and sometimes inaccurate, remarks.

Some of the posts, attracting thousands of likes and retweets on X, asserted that Shell has closed the curtain on its over 80 years of operations in the country.

“Shell just announced they are leaving Nigeria.  What is this white people seeing that we are not seeing yet?” an X user, @Naija_Activist, tweeted.

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Another user, @_pheranme, also made a post about the purported exit of Shell, asking: “What is happening in Nigeria?”

For X user @ThisIsNot1967_, the claim was that “Shell BP exits sinking Nigeria after 85 years operations”.

SORTING FACTS FROM THE CHATTER

While announcing the changes in its Nigerian business structure, the company said, subject to following regulatory approvals, it would sell Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). 

The onshore business is to be acquired by Renaissance — a consortium of five companies comprising four exploration and production companies based in Nigeria and an international energy group. The companies are ND Western, Aradel Energy, First Exploration and Production (First E&P), Waltersmith, and Petrolin.

The SPDC is the operator of the NNPC/SPDC/Total Energies/NAOC joint venture, which comprises Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (55 percent holding), SPDC (30 percent), Total Energies (10 percent), and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (5 percent).

In a statement issued on its onshore withdrawal, Shell clarified that the sale of one of its Nigerian subsidiaries does not imply an exit, explaining that it still has “three other main businesses” in the country. 

The energy firm listed the businesses as Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG), and Daystar Power Group, which provides integrated solar power to commercial and industrial businesses across West Africa.

“In addition, Shell holds a 25.6% interest in NLNG, which produces and exports LNG to global markets. Shell’s interest in NLNG is also outside the scope of this transaction,” the statement reads.

SHELL STILL DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

SNEPCo, which pioneered deep-water oil and gas production from the Bonga field in the Gulf of Guinea, is expected to continue its production and exploration activities.

Also, Daystar, which was acquired by Shell in December 2022, will continue to maintain its presence in Nigeria.

Similarly, SNG, which currently operates a growing gas transmission and distribution network of over 138km in Nigeria, would still be present in the country.

REASONS BEHIND SHELL’S ONSHORE EXIT

Shell’s intention to sell its onshore subsidiary has been long envisaged, with the company grappling with oil spills due to theft, sabotage, and operational issues, resulting in costly repairs and high-profile lawsuits.

The lawsuits had deterred the company from selling its onshore assets before now.

During an annual general meeting in 2021, Ben van Beurden, former chief executive officer of Shell, said the oil giant was in talks with the federal government to sell its onshore oil assets, citing unprecedented sabotage.

In March 2022, a court of appeal in Owerri stopped Shell from selling any assets in Nigeria until a decision was reached on the company’s appeal of over $2 billion in penalties from alleged oil spills.

In July 2022, Shell paused the divestment of its onshore oil assets pending the outcome of the case at the supreme court.

MULTINATIONALS SELLING ONSHORE ASSETS

Some other international oil companies (IOCs) have also embarked on a sales spree.

In February 2022, Seplat Energy Plc agreed to acquire ExxonMobil’s entire share in its shallow water business — Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).

However, after over one year, the deal is yet to be completed due to regulatory encumbrances.

In April 2022, TotalEnergies announced plans to sell its minority stake in a Nigerian oil joint venture, joining other top firms divesting from onshore oilfields in the country.

Similarly, Oando, in September 2023, said it had signed a deal to acquire 100 percent of Eni’s shares in Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd).

Equinor, the Norwegian oil firm, in November 2023 said it had agreed to sell its Nigerian business, including the company’s stake in the Agbami oil field, to Chappal Energies, a Nigerian-owned firm.

VERDICT 

The claim that oil giant Shell is leaving Nigeria is false. The company still retains ownership of three other subsidiaries.



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