• Positions for future deepwater jobs
Peter Uzoho
Tenaris Global Services has marked 25 years of operation in Nigeria with the inauguration of its upgraded $10 million thermal insulation plant in Onne, Rivers State, and the successful completion of the coating campaign for the Bonga North deepwater project.
The celebration held at the Onne Free Zone, brought together government officials, regulators, and industry operators for a three in one event commemorating 25 years of Tenaris in Nigeria, completion of the Bonga North pipe coating campaign, and inauguration of Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited’s 5-Layer Thermal Insulation Plant.
Over the past quarter century, Tenaris has supported some of Nigeria’s most complex onshore, shallow water, and deepwater developments, continuously investing in local capabilities to meet evolving industry demands.
For Bonga North, the company invested approximately $10 million in the complete refurbishment and upgrade of its coating line in Onne, bringing into operation the only 5 Layer Thermal Insulation Plant in Sub-Saharan Africa.
THISDAY learnt that the investment brought advanced coating technologies closer to customers and further strengthened Nigeria’s industrial base.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Tenaris in Nigeria, Rosario Osobase, said the milestones told a single story of commitment, capability, and partnership.
Osobase said, “These achievements, including the commissioning of the only 5 Layer Thermal Insulation Plant in Sub-Saharan Africa, reflect our long term commitment to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s energy industry through investment, innovation, and the development of local expertise.”
She stated that the Bonga North project left a lasting legacy of technical capability and demonstrated the maturity of Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem.
Osobase explained that the coating campaign required advanced technical capabilities and was delivered on an accelerated schedule.
The campaign also demonstrated that high specification deepwater scopes, including Three-Layer Polypropylene anti corrosion coating and Five-Layer Polypropylene thermal insulation coating, could be executed in-country to world class standards, retaining expenditure, fostering local expertise, and building a legacy of knowledge for future offshore projects.
In his remarks, Commercial Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Caspian Sea, Tenaris, Alessandro D’Angelo, said Nigeria was entering a new phase of growth and Tenaris was well positioned to support it.
D’Angelo stated, “Reaching this milestone reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s long-term potential.”
He added that continuity of investment and project activity will be critical to strengthening local value creation as new opportunities emerged.
Senior Director, Commercial, Sub-Saharan Africa, Tenaris, Juan Juanicotena, said the company’s 25-year journey in Nigeria was first and foremost a story of partnership.
Recalling the successful execution of the Bonga North campaign, Juanicotena stated that despite its technical complexity and demanding schedule, the project was delivered on time in Nigeria.
He said, “This demonstrates that Nigeria possesses the people, infrastructure, and industrial capabilities required to execute projects of the highest quality standards, and positions the country strongly for future developments such as Bonga Southwest, Obodo and Zabazaba.”
In his keynote address, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended Tenaris for its exceptional commitment to Nigeria, stressing that “Tenaris did not leave” during challenging periods when many others exited the market.
Lokpobiri described the occasion as more than an anniversary celebration, saying it represents a powerful demonstration of industrial capacity, skilled Nigerian jobs, and meaningful technology transfer.
As Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the minister emphasised the need for consistent implementation of local content legislation to sustain companies that have invested in Nigeria’s industrial capacity and ensure the retention of skilled jobs and strategic capabilities within the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, in a virtual keynote address, said reaching 25 years of continuous operations in Nigeria was a significant achievement and reflected Tenaris’ enduring confidence in the country through sustained investment, infrastructure development, and talent cultivation.
Verheijen described the completion of the Bonga North coating campaign and the commissioning of the 5-Layer Thermal Insulation Plant as testaments to the company’s belief in Nigeria’s future.
She said the Tenaris brand had become synonymous with quality, reliability, and long-term commitment.
She also commended the leadership of Rosario Osobase as evidence that talent and excellence knew no gender in Nigeria’s energy industry.
Tenaris’ resilience has been one of its defining characteristics.
While several pipeline companies closed and many EPC firms exited Nigeria between 2014 and 2023 as a result of reduced project activity and market uncertainty, Tenaris remained committed to the country.
The company maintained its OCTG threading facility in Onne through multiple market cycles, continued development of its people through local and international assignments, and preserved its coating capabilities in anticipation of renewed demand.
That commitment is now yielding results as oil and gas production reaches new levels, indigenous operators expand their footprint and international energy companies continue to invest in Nigeria’s deepwater future.
The company has built its value proposition around people, infrastructure, and technology.
With manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, service centres in 19 countries, approximately 25,000 employees, representing more than 100 nationalities, and a global production capacity of eight million tons of steel pipe annually, Tenaris has leveraged its global expertise, research and development capabilities, and technological leadership to localise advanced services in Nigeria.
Wherever it operates, the company invests in infrastructure, develops people, and becomes an integral part of its host communities.
In Nigeria, that has translated into premium OCTG supply, accessories, and coating technologies that support well delivery and pipeline developments.
Over the last decade alone, more than 20,000 tons of OCTG have been supplied for legacy Shell assets now operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company, supporting energy delivery to homes and industries.
Through its subsidiary, Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited, Tenaris has also supported strategic gas pipeline projects that are helping unlock gas for industrialisation and economic growth.
For Tenaris, the new thermal insulation plant is more than infrastructure. It represents a long-term investment in people, partnerships and Nigeria itself. As the only 5 Layer Thermal Insulation Plant in Sub Saharan Africa, it strengthens Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for advanced coating solutions while enabling customers to execute increasingly complex projects with world class products and specialised services delivered locally.
With continuity of projects and investment, the company says it is well positioned to continue delivering world class products and specialised services that enable customers to execute increasingly complex projects while advancing Nigeria’s energy ambitions for decades to come.
Other industry leaders who joined in celebrating Tenaris’ 25 years of resilience, partnership and contributions to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry included Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Enorense Amadasu; pioneer Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Director on the Board of Tenaris Global Services Nigeria Limited, Dr Ernest Nwapa; Director, Corporate Services, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu; and Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, among others.