By Austin Chukwudi
The National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) has issued a three-day strike notice to Nigeria LNG Ltd and contractors on the NLNG Train 7 project in Bonny, Rivers State, over unresolved labour disputes, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
In a letter dated July 4, 2025, addressed to the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), the union said it had commenced a seven-day warning strike on June 30, 2025.
NAPO, which represents plant operators on the $5.5 billion Train 7 gas plant construction project, asked the Minister of Labour and Employment to invoke Section 7 of the Trade Disputes Act to convene a conciliation meeting.
The letter named NLNG, SPDC, Saipem and other contractors as parties to the dispute.
“We write to notify you of the ongoing seven-day warning strike embarked upon by our members… and to request your intervention for an immediate conciliation meeting,” the letter stated.
Copies were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), and security agencies.
NLNG Train 7 is designed to increase Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas production capacity by about 35%. The project is a joint venture between NLNG shareholders: NNPC Ltd, Shell, TotalEnergies and Eni.
SPDC is a shareholder in NLNG and provides technical support to the company.
Any prolonged disruption to construction could delay Nigeria’s plans to boost gas exports and earn more foreign exchange, at a time the government is seeking to grow non-oil revenue.
A spokesperson for NLNG and SPDC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Saipem also could not be reached for comment.
Labour disputes have periodically affected oil and gas projects in Nigeria, often centring on wages, contract terms and local content compliance.