By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
As part of its commitment to advance regional integration, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has said that it is willing to collaborate and invest in opportunities across the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry in Africa.
The Chairman of PETAN, Mr Nicolas Odinuwe, disclosed this on Wednesday, in his welcome address at the 5th edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) held virtually from 19th – 21st May 2021 with the theme, “Post-Covid-19 from Global Crises to Global Opportunity.”
Odinuwe called on African governments to create enabling environments such as introducing some key incentives and necessary policies that will attract massive investments into the African oil and gas industry.
In his words, “PETAN has been able to show that indigenous service companies can deliver. We are also an advocacy group that suggest and guide government decisions such as the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and they also understand that there is a need to interact, dialogue and collaborate to bridge any gap in the industry.
“What has worked for us in Nigeria shows that we have people who see our values. There are lots of values that will be derived when you work with indigenous companies.
“Ultimately, PETAN is fighting for Nigerian entrepreneurs and we will continue to do it and whenever there are new technologies in the oil and gas industry, you will see PETAN companies bringing these technologies into Nigeria.
“We drive the industry in a way that will benefit our people but sometimes it is only government policies that affect the way we operate.
“In Nigeria, we have a petroleum training institute and universities but the problem is ‘Intra-regional Collaboration. We will continue to create awareness for the industry to reach its full potential.”
Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) is a leading organisation that represents oilfield services and technology companies operating upstream through downstream projects in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
PETAN is also a leader in the promotion of innovative engineering and creative solutions, that help advance the petroleum industry both nationally and regionally. The group was established to bring together Nigerian Oil & Gas entrepreneurs to create a forum for the exchange of ideas with the major operators and policymakers.
PETAN companies have particular expertise and experience in well engineering, drilling and completions, fabrication and construction, EPC, pipelines and facilities such as laying, coatings, repairs, production operations such as well testing, EPF, O&M, well services such as wireline, slickline, pumping, CT, marine vessels, ROV technology and subsea services, seismic acquisition, process and interpretation and much more.
The Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) is a PETAN event, which stands as not only the largest event in the centre of the region’s oil and gas hub but also the only truly industry-led event, held in partnership with the country’s petroleum sector.