PETAN pledges Support for Oil and Gas Sector Growth

By Fred Shaka Braimah

…..Commits to Strengthening Partnership with NAEC

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has promised to support the efforts of the Bola Tinubu-led administration toward increasing Nigeria’s oil and gas production for maximum value.

The Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, made the promise when representatives of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), led by its Chairman, Ugo Amadi, paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.

The PETAN chairman also assured NAEC of its commitment to consolidating the long-standing relationship between the two bodies.

Mr Ogunsanya said the vision and intention of PETAN was to support the authorities to ensure that all the values existing in the industry stayed in Nigeria.

He said if Nigeria could retain between 60 to 70 per cent of the oil and gas value chain in the country, the nation would stand a better chance of emerging as one of the top 20 economies in the world.

The PETAN Chairman expressed concerns that Nigeria was currently losing a lot due to its inability to produce up to its oil production capacity.

He noted that the country was under producing to the tune of at least 500,000 barrels per day, which he described as a huge loss to the country

He said such loses would not have been if there was full in-country retention of values and beneficiation across all the chains of the industry.

“Essentially, if Nigerian organisations are involved in taking that oil out, taking it to a refinery owned by Nigerians and refining it. If we have petrochemicals refining the gas and the product, we are taking that gas, we are processing it in power plants, we run pipelines to connect all those power plants, this country will be top 20 economy in the world” he said.

“And we believe very strongly that there is no better prescription of Nigeria’s economic solution more than that”

In order to retain those values in-country at every stage of oil and gas process, Wole said a lot of gaps needed to be filled through goverment policy initiatives and collaboration with industry stakeholders.

Reiterating PETAN’s commitment to support the retention of those values, he acknowledged the presidency’s highly interest in increasing production.

He pointed out that the presidency had given the directives and had formulated a lot of gazettes, stating that PETAN aligned with those initiatives.

Wole further said, “Our intention is to support this government, to support this country to increase production of oil and gas. I presented this vision to the whole house of PETAN exactly a week ago and the vision is very clear. PETAN wants to support Nigeria through innovative means to increase product of oil and gas in this country”.

“That is the mandate that the president has given. PETAN to come up with very innovative ideas on how this is going to be achieved and even low cost approach that is being used in other countries. If you go to Indonesia where some of us have relationships, that is what they are doing. They are looking inwards on how to maximize returns from the resources they have.”

Owing to the technical know-how of the members and the unique position of the association, the PETAN boss said they were working with the government to create value for the country.

He said the group’s commitment and response to the president’s mandate of increasing production was for them to be prepared to deploy all their assets at various locations in the Niger Delta to actualise that mandate.

He acknowledged the challenges facing the industry in Nigeria including funding, logistics and others.

He stressed the imperative of collaboration and partnership between PETAN and other critical stakeholders.

Wole maintained that his association cannot make progress with some of its plans without collaborating with either energy correspondents.

He added, “We cannot do without you. Our message cannot resonate and cannot get across without your partnership with us. So, let me assure you that what has happened in the past due to the circumstances of COVID that could have allowed some things to be put on the hold will not happen again”.

“Essentially, we both need each other. PETAN needs you to tell that story, to sell what PETAN vision is in order to help the situation we find ourselves. And I appreciate your candour in terms of how we’ve supported each other. We are going to support you as PETAN as we have done in the past”.

“So, Mr. Chairman, I give you that assurance. We would work with you immediately.”