Energy
Research Imperatives: NCDMB Hosts Oil Industry Players, Academia
Top Oil and Gas Industry stakeholders are together with leading academics in three-day Research and Development (R&D) workshop on with special focus on needs-driven research, deepening collaboration and linkages.
The zonal workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is holding at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
The Corporate Communications Department of the NCDMB made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.
Biztellers reports that the workshop provides a forum for discussions and demonstration of research breakthroughs on software and hardware as they relate to oil and gas industry needs, bioremediation and related oil field chemicals solutions, including additives and drilling fluids, and renewable solutions to meet industry needs.
Scheduled to be hosted in the six geopolitical zones of the country by NCDMB Centres of Excellence in six universities, the workshop is also intended to enhance capacity building of research directors and lecturers, particularly in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
In a keynote address at the Workshop, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Board was empowered by Sections 36-39 and 70 (m) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, to “coordinate and superintend over research and development towards the further attainment of the goal of developing Nigerian content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”
According to him, “critical gaps hampering the research climate in our sector,” notably, “lack of research infrastructure, funding and weak commercial frameworks,” had been identified in the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map, which had been developed in 2017. Appropriate measures to close such gaps were also identified.
He noted that “the establishment of Research Centres of Excellence in the six geopolitical zones of the country and establishment of the R&D Fund to stimulate research in the oil and gas sector” were some of the measures recommended to remedy the identified gaps. The Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund,” he explained, was launched by the Board in 2021 “with an initial seed capital of $50 million.”
Highlighting a major success in research-related endeavours of the NCDMB, Engr. Ogbe said the actualization of the commissioning of the Amal Technology Printed Circuit 2 Board Manufacturing Facility in Abuja was a result of research commercialisation, “amplified in the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation policy which created the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre inside the Nigerian Content Towers at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The ES was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr Isaac Yalah, and he pointed out that the Board created six research centres of excellence hosted by tertiary institutions in different geopolitical zones.
These are NDU, which hosts a Centre of Excellence for Engineering Studies; Federal University of Technology (FUT), Akure; FUT, Owerri, and FUT, Minna, with Centres of Excellence in Geology and Geophysical Studies, Local Raw Materials Substitution, and Technology Development, Studies, respectively. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, hosts Safety and Environment Studies, while Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, hosts Renewable Energy.
In setting the context of the event, NCDMB’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Isaac Yalah, described the Workshop as “a journey towards fostering collaboration and linkage between industry, academia and government,” which he noted are critical to the nation’s quest for economic development.
He said it is important to address the challenge, “How do we bring industry experts to enhance learning in universities?” noting that training and manpower development would be greatly boosted through such an approach. He recalled his own experience in South Korea in the past, where he observed that students in tertiary institutions were focused on solving industry problems.
According to him, with such an orientation, “Together, we [industry, academia and government] can unlock new frontiers of development.”
In Welcome Remarks, the Vice Chancellor, NDU, Prof Allen Aziba-Odumosu Agih, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Jonah Akekere, expressed the joy of the institution’s Management in playing host to participants, while commending the NCDMB for its initiatives in human capital development.
He said the University greatly appreciates the Centre of Excellence status it enjoys as well as the partnership that has been fostered by the Board over the years.
He cited computers donated to the university by the NCDMB to aid Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital penetration in the university community and its environs.
In a charge to all stakeholders, Prof Akekere declared: “Let the output of resource persons [at the Workshop] be sold to industry.”
Earlier in a programme overview, the Managing Director, Wider Perspectives Ltd., facilitators of the event, Mrs. Edughom Hanson, said interactions between oil and gas industry players, academics and policy-makers are vital for the successes the country seeks in national development.
She noted that, among other objectives, the Workshop seeks to build the capacity of research directors and lecturers in writing and reading compelling research proposals.
“There are a lot of opportunities, a lot of grants that can be accessed out there for research purposes,” she stated, adding, “But the way you write the proposals matter.”
Presentations at the Technical Sessions include “Innovation on Software Development: Success Factors, Constraints and Look Ahead”; “Innovation on Hardware Development: Success Factors, Constraints, and Look Ahead”; “Innovations on Oil Field Chemical
Development: Success Factors, Constraints, and Look Ahead,” and “Available Funding on Research and Development: Impact and Accessibility.”
Resource persons are Mr ThankGod Egbe, Managing Director, CypherCrescent, Dr Keluo Chukwuogu, Founder/CEO, Boskel Nigeria Ltd.; Jonathan Amarachi Njoku, Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB; Prof Joel Ogbonna, Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Abia State; Mr Pacqueens Irabor, Manager South, Bank of Industry; Prof Yelebe Zekieni Robert, Director, NCDMB Centre of Excellence, NDU; Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, General Manager, Research, Statistics & Development, NCDMB, and Prof (Mrs) Iheoma M. Adekunle, Director, Consultancy and Institutional Advancement, Federal University, Otuoke.
Keen on optimising production from the nation’s hydrocarbon assets to boost revenues and meet her OPEC production quota, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its Joint Venture partner in the Awoba Unit Field, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd., have restarted production from the Awoba field which last contributed production to the Bonny Terminal in 2021 and was finally shut down in February 2022 due to evacuation issues and crude oil theft.
This was contained in a statement put out on the state oil company’s X handle on Tuesday from Abuja, under the signature of its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi O. Soneye.
He asserted that since the restart of the Awoba field by NNPC Ltd and it partners on April 13, 2024; production from the field has averaged 8,000 barrels per day and is expected to plateau at 12,000 per day at full ramp up within 30 days.
Awoba is also expected to significantly boost gas supply to the power sector and other gas-based industries, Soneye added.
Biztellers reports that the Awoba Unit which straddles OMLs 18 and 24 is located in the mangrove swamp south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Both OML 18 and OML 24 assets are under the management of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
Recall that the NNPC Ltd. has been recording a string of production successes from the JV portfolio which have significantly lifted overall national production. Besides the recent start of production at the Madu Field by the NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV, the company has achieved the restart of production at OMLs 29 and OML 18 in late 2023 which have steadily contributed an average of 60,000bpd to the nation’s production output since their restart.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mallam Mele Kyari, ascribed the achievement to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s success in providing enabling operating environment for businesses to thrive.
He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders (staff, operators, host communities, government security agencies, and private security contractors) who played a pivotal role in achieving the feat.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partner in OML 85, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), have commenced oil production from the asset also known as Madu Field.
Biztellers reports that production from the field which is located in shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State and operated by First E&P is expected to be at an average of 20,000 barrels per day.
The achievement is a testament to the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to optimise production from the nation’s oil and gas assets through the provision of enabling environment for existing and prospective investors.
According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, the commencement of oil production at the Madu Field is a significant milestone that will contribute to the larger goal of meeting the production required to drive revenue growth and boost the nation’s economy.
He commended stakeholders for their support, and opined that the addition of 20,000 barrels per day by an indigenous oil player signals the commitment of stakeholders to achieving economic development for Nigeria.
Recall that the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the development of the Madu Field and a sister field, Anyala, was taken by the NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV in 2018.
Production from the Madu Field will be processed at the JV’s Abigail-Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Unit, which has a crude oil storage capacity of up to 800,000bbls.
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has denounced stories being peddled around that it is recruiting.
General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, CNL, E. O. Brikinn, denounced the stories in a statement made available to Biztellers, in which he cautioned that the company will not respond to enquiries about “fraudulent advertisements and job offers”.
It reads, “Chevron Nigeria Limited (“CNL”), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (“NNPCL”) and CNL Joint Venture, is aware of the circulation of false recruitment information in some media and online channels in the name of CNL and Chevron Corporation, purportedly advertising job positions in CNL.
“Additionally, fraudulent job offers have reportedly been sent through emails, text messages and phone calls by individuals purporting to be staff or representatives of CNL and Chevron Corporation.
“Members of the public are hereby notified that CNL does not solicit job applications or initiate recruitment processes through emails, posters, handbills, text messages, social media, or phone calls.
“Job seekers are advised to always check the company’s website at: http:/www.careers.chevron.com, and the national newspapers for job advertisements from CNL.
“CNL does not and will not require applicants to make any payment towards processing any job application. Job offers requesting candidates to pay money, at any point during the recruitment process, are not from CNL. CNL advises that anyone who receives these fraudulent communications should report them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
“CNL hereby dissociates itself from all false job adverts and offers published in any online media platform, web site, email, poster, handbill or any other medium.
“CNL will not respond to enquiries about fraudulent advertisements and job offers.”
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