Petroleum Minister Pledges Strong Collaboration with NIPetE Ahead of Annual Conference
…NIPetE to host 3rd annual conference on October 31 and November 1
In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to forging a robust partnership with the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE). The collaboration, he emphasized, will focus on critical areas such as capacity building, enhancing professional standards, and addressing the pressing challenges of oil production in the country.
This assurance was given during a meeting between the Minister and a delegation from NIPetE, led by the institution’s National Chairman, Engineer Prisca Kanebi, at the Minister’s office in Abuja. The visit not only highlighted the strategic role NIPetE plays in advancing the petroleum engineering profession in Nigeria but also served as an opportunity for the institution to formally invite the Minister to its 3rd annual conference, scheduled for October 31 and November 1 at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
During the meeting, Kanebi outlined the primary objectives of NIPetE, which include fostering stronger ties between the industry and academic institutions. She emphasized the institution’s role as a key watchdog in ensuring that educational and professional practices in petroleum engineering adhere to global standards. Kanebi also pointed out NIPetE’s ongoing efforts to encourage major players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to invest in training equipment and research laboratories within universities, thereby improving the quality of petroleum engineering education.
One of NIPetE’s unique initiatives, according to Kanebi, is its commitment to facilitating sabbatical opportunities for academic petroleum engineers in top Nigerian exploration and production companies. This initiative, she explained, provides a platform for academics to gain firsthand experience in the field, bringing fresh perspectives to tackle operational challenges within the industry.
Furthermore, Kanebi highlighted the importance of domesticating international standards and codes within Nigeria’s petroleum sector. She stressed that by ensuring that local practices align with global benchmarks, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry would not only achieve world-class operations but also create a conducive environment for attracting more foreign investment.
In response, Minister Lokpobiri welcomed the institution’s efforts and reiterated the ministry’s dedication to fostering closer collaboration with NIPetE. He acknowledged the challenges facing the sector, particularly the country’s dwindling oil production levels, and noted that addressing this issue is critical to the nation’s economic growth.
Lokpobiri expressed his concerns over the current state of oil production in Nigeria, citing that despite significant investments in capacity building and infrastructure, the results have not been as impactful as expected. He called for a fresh approach to tackling the issue, noting that leveraging the expertise of NIPetE members would be key to improving the sector’s performance.
“The government has invested heavily in this sector, but we are not seeing the returns we expect. We must now focus on collaboration and new strategies to overcome the production challenges,” Lokpobiri stated. “NIPetE has the expertise we need, and through partnership, we can find innovative solutions to boost our oil output.”
Lokpobiri also committed to attending the forthcoming NIPetE conference, underscoring the importance of the event in shaping the future of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. He proposed that the ministry and NIPetE establish a collaborative agenda, which would be reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure that both parties remain aligned in their goals and objectives.
The upcoming NIPetE conference is expected to bring together industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the petroleum sector to discuss and explore the future of oil and gas in Nigeria. With topics ranging from technological advancements to sustainable practices, the event aims to chart a path forward for the country’s energy sector.
The partnership between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NIPetE marks a significant step towards ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry remains competitive on the global stage. With an eye on boosting production and refining professional standards, this collaboration is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s energy landscape.
Source: NIPetE
