Study of the Role of Marine Engineering in Offshore Oil Production Support Vessels in the Gulf of Guinea

Offshore support vessels play an indispensable role in sustaining the operations of oil production platforms in the Gulf of Guinea, providing cargo, personnel, and specialised technical services. This study examines the marine engineering functions and operational demands associated with offshore supply vessels, platform supply vessels, and anchor handling tug supply vessels operating in Nigerian deepwater and shallow-water fields. A descriptive survey design was adopted, using structured questionnaires and interviews with thirty marine engineers and technical superintendents employed by offshore support companies. Data were also obtained from vessel technical management records provided by participating companies. The study finds that the primary marine engineering challenges aboard these vessels include maintaining dynamic positioning system reliability, managing complex power generation systems supplying hotel and thruster loads, and ensuring the continuous operational readiness of cargo pumping and crane systems under demanding offshore conditions. The accelerated pace of vessel deployment and the rotational nature of crew assignments are found to contribute to knowledge transfer gaps within engineering departments. The research further identifies limited availability of spare parts in Nigerian supply chains as a recurring operational constraint. Recommendations include establishment of onshore technical support centres staffed by senior engineers, improved spare parts localisation programmes, and collaboration between oil companies and local maritime training institutions to develop specialised offshore engineering curricula. Keywords: offshore support vessels, Gulf of Guinea, dynamic positioning, marine engineering, offshore operations