U.S. energy major ExxonMobil is deepening its offshore investment in Nigeria through a new deepwater completions contract awarded to Weatherford International plc, underscoring renewed momentum in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The contract, awarded by Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd — an affiliate of ExxonMobil — covers integrated upper and lower completions systems for deepwater wells offshore Nigeria.
The agreement forms part of Weatherford’s Well Construction and Completions portfolio and is aimed at supporting well integrity, operational reliability, safety, and efficiency across the lifecycle of offshore wells.
The latest development comes as Nigeria pushes to attract fresh energy investments through more flexible fiscal policies and reforms designed to revive crude oil production and strengthen deepwater exploration activity.
Under the contract, Weatherford will configure and prepare integrated completions equipment through its global supply chain network while supporting local execution and in-country service delivery in Nigeria, aligning with local content objectives in Africa’s largest oil producer.
Weatherford President and Chief Executive Officer Girish Saligram said the agreement highlights the company’s capability to support technically demanding offshore operations.
“This contract reflects our ability to deliver integrated completions solutions for deepwater operations,” Saligram said. “We will provide technologies designed to support well integrity, reliability, and efficient execution in complex offshore environments.”
Industry analysts say the contract signals continued confidence in Nigeria’s offshore energy assets despite global energy transition pressures and rising competition for capital among oil-producing nations.
Nigeria’s deepwater sector remains critical to the country’s long-term crude production outlook due to its large reserves, lower security risks compared with some onshore assets, and ability to attract multinational investment.
The agreement also reflects broader investment momentum across West Africa, where international energy companies are advancing offshore drilling campaigns, subsea infrastructure projects, and long-term production expansion programs.
For ExxonMobil, the move reinforces its strategic focus on high-value offshore assets as global oil majors prioritize projects with longer production life cycles and stronger operational efficiency.
The deal is also expected to support Nigeria’s local energy services ecosystem through in-country operational support, technology deployment, and supply chain participation tied to offshore project execution.
As global energy demand remains resilient, analysts say deepwater developments in Nigeria and across the Gulf of Guinea could play an increasingly important role in balancing future oil and gas supply markets.