KEY POINTS
- Halliburton wins Shell contract for offshore HI gas field in OML 144 to support Nigeria LNG Train 7.
- Project to leverage automation and remote operations to improve efficiency and safety.
- Supreme Court earlier upheld $6.9m tax debt ruling against Halliburton West Africa Limited.
Halliburton has secured a major integrated drilling and completion services contract from Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), in collaboration with Sunlink Energies, to advance the development of the HI gas field located in OML 144 offshore Nigeria.
The project, positioned as a key contributor to the Nigeria LNG Train 7 facility, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s natural gas supply and reinforce the country’s standing as a leading LNG exporter in Africa.
Under the agreement, Halliburton will deliver a suite of drilling and completion solutions supported by its LOGIX automation and remote operations systems. The technology aims to enhance precision, improve safety standards, and cut down operational risks in deepwater environments.
The company’s Project Management team will handle the execution phase, coordinating operations from planning to completion to ensure seamless integration of services.
Shannon Slocum, Halliburton’s President for the Eastern Hemisphere, said the contract underscored the firm’s long-term commitment to providing technology-driven efficiency in complex offshore projects. “Our collaboration with SNEPCo and Sunlink Energies advances the HI gas field and contributes to the future of the energy industry in Nigeria,” he said.
A Boost for Offshore Gas and Nigeria’s Energy Future
Industry observers see the award as a strategic boost to Nigeria’s offshore gas ambitions at a time when the government is pushing to expand LNG capacity and attract fresh investment into the upstream sector.
Halliburton’s established presence in Nigeria and its track record with similar offshore projects are expected to help meet production targets for the HI gas field. The deal also strengthens Halliburton’s long-standing partnership with Shell, which has consistently invested in advanced exploration and LNG infrastructure across the Niger Delta and deepwater zones.
The Guardian recalls that earlier this year, Halliburton West Africa Limited (HWAL) lost a tax dispute with the Federal Government after the Supreme Court upheld a ruling ordering the company to pay a $6.9 million tax debt. The apex court dismissed Halliburton’s appeal, ruling that both HWAL and its Nigerian subsidiary, Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited, were separate taxable entities.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment, held that HWAL failed to demonstrate that its Nigerian subsidiary had been assessed on the same income, adding that the company’s claim lacked merit. The court also imposed a cost of N2 million against the firm.
Despite the earlier legal setback, Halliburton’s continued operational success in Nigeria signals resilience and renewed confidence in the country’s energy prospects. The new gas contract positions the company as a critical player in advancing the next phase of offshore resource development while supporting Nigeria’s energy transition goals.
