Petroleum Technology Association Of Nigeria (PETAN)

Folashade Adeniran
May, Mon, 2025

PETAN: Driving local content partnerships, sustainable energy transition

353 total views today

By Yunus Yusuf (News Agency of Nigeria)

Africa stands at a critical juncture in the global energy landscape, rich in hydrocarbon reserves but burdened by energy poverty, foreign dependency, and the pressures of a shifting global energy paradigm.

At the forefront of Africa’s strategy to address these issues is the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), a consortium of indigenous oilfield service companies leading a continental push toward local content development and strategic energy partnerships.

Founded in 1990, PETAN has evolved from advocating equitable opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to exporting oilfield expertise across Africa.

Its blueprint—built on indigenous capacity and regional collaboration—offers a practical path to energy independence and sustainable economic growth.

As more African nations discover oil and gas resources, the PETAN model is increasingly seen as a template for success.

In spite of persistent challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, limited access to finance, and technology gaps, PETAN remains resolute.

Its presence at global conferences like the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston has significantly amplified Nigeria’s footprint in the global energy space.

Through the Nigerian Pavilion at OTC 2025, PETAN showcased indigenous capabilities, fostered international partnerships, and reinforced its commitment to local content development.

With over 70 Nigerian participants and 30 Nigerian companies participating, the event marked a milestone in the country’s drive to position local firms on the global stage.

Mr Emeka Ene, a former PETAN Chairman, described the significance of the platform.

Ene said: “The OTC pavilion has become a viable platform for exhibitors to showcase their innovations and attract investment into the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

According to PETAN’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Innocent Akuvue, this visibility underscores Nigeria’s growing technical capacity and PETAN’s role in transforming policy into tangible outcomes.

“PETAN has been instrumental in translating the Local Content Act from policy to practice.

“We’ve moved from rhetoric to real capacity development; training engineers, fabricators, and service providers who now compete globally, ” Akuvue said.

He said that PETAN member companies had invested significantly in technology transfer, infrastructure, and training.

“From developing fabrication yards to certifying technicians, their efforts have created jobs, retained in-country value, and enhanced technical resilience,” he added.

Chairman of PETAN, Mr Wole Ogunsanya, emphasised that local content is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a business imperative.

Ogunsanya said, “We see local content not just as compliance but as a strategy for sustainable growth.

“It’s about nurturing ecosystems where local innovation thrives and drives Africa’s energy future.”

Ogunsanya highlighted PETAN’s broader continental ambitions.

He said that through engagement in international forums like OTC and African Energy Week, PETAN had emerged as a pan-African voice for indigenous capacity.

“In 2023, the association hosted the inaugural African Local Content Roundtable in Lagos, drawing stakeholders from Ghana, Angola, Uganda, and Mozambique,” he explained.

Ogunsanya noted, “Discussions centred on harmonising local content frameworks, regional training standards, and cross-border partnerships.

“One notable outcome has been PETAN’s technical support in Ghana and Equatorial Guinea, where Nigerian firms now collaborate with local companies to deliver oilfield services—strengthening intra-African cooperation and reducing dependence on foreign contractors.”

The chairman said that as the global energy landscape transitions, PETAN was aligning with the future.

He added that while hydrocarbons remain vital for Africa’s development, PETAN was actively investing in gas monetisation, renewable energy integration, and emission reduction technologies.

Ogunsanya stressed, “Gas is our transition fuel.

“Through investments in LPG distribution, flare reduction, and gas processing, PETAN companies are enabling cleaner energy solutions while driving inclusive growth.”

Ogunsanya said that to support this shift, PETAN gad been working closely with the African Energy Chamber and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) to shape balanced energy policies that address both sustainability and development.

“Our mission is to build an Africa where energy drives development, not dependency.

“And we’re doing it—one partnership at a time,” Ogunsanya affirmed.

An energy law expert, Dr Ayodele Oni of Bloomfield Law Practice, commended PETAN’s regional approach:

“PETAN understands that Africa’s energy sustainability depends on integration.

“They’re not just promoting Nigerian capacity but advocating for a continental ecosystem where African companies support African projects,” he explained.

**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)**

Lokpobiri urges African countries to unite against energy poverty

Folashade Adeniran
May, Tue, 2025

Oil & Gas

Lokpobiri urges African countries to unite against energy poverty

301 total views today

By Yunus Yusuf

Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has urged African nations to forge a united front in the battle against energy poverty across the continent.

Lokpobiri made the call on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Pavilion, hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”.

The minister stressed the need for Africa to develop cohesive policies that are tailored to the continent’s unique circumstances, warning that fragmented approaches would be ineffective in addressing the escalating energy deficit.

“This conference is not a jamboree. It is a platform for Nigeria, and by extension, Africa—to showcase its vast potential,” Lokpobiri said.

He underscored the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) as a strategic entity established to devise shared solutions for the continent’s energy challenges.

Lokpobiri also expressed his approval of Donald Trump’s return as President of U.S., suggesting it could help decelerate what he termed the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative, saying,” it has put Africa at a disadvantage”.

According to him, the prevailing global discourse on energy transition is largely influenced by geopolitical considerations.

In response to this challenge, he announced that APPO is in the process of establishing the African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps and ultimately free the continent from energy poverty.

“This is an opportunity to let you know that your concerns are gradually being addressed.

“As members of APPO, we are in partnership with Afrexim Bank, which during our last meeting disclosed that it has an exposure of nearly $14 billion.

“This amount, along with an additional

$5 billion as the initial take-off capital, will be transferred to the African Energy Bank—bringing the total to over $19 billion,” he disclosed.

He further stated that the African Energy Bank is scheduled to begin operations within the current quarter.

Lokpobiri called on African nations to repatriate investments held overseas and channel them into the African Energy Bank to bolster the continent’s energy security.

During a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, Lokpobiri advised Ghana to draw lessons from Nigeria’s past experiences in the energy sector, particularly in avoiding early missteps.

In his address, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr John Abdullahi, acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in the region.

He stated that while Ghana is a relatively new player in the oil and gas sector, it is eager to learn from Nigeria’s experiences and reforms, especially in the areas of local content development and climate policy.

“We will continue to consult Nigeria as we build a successful oil and gas industry.

“The collaboration between both countries remains strong,” Abdullahi said.

Earlier, the Chairman of PETAN, Mr Wole Ogunsanya, emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s presence at OTC.

Ogunsanya stated that “This year’s event, under the Nigerian Pavilion, is set to highlight Africa’s growing role in the global energy sector.

“OTC 2025 promises to bring together top-tier industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the world’s largest energy event.”

He noted that PETAN’s consistent participation over the years had significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Ogunsanya recalled that two decades ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tasked PETAN with coordinating Nigeria’s activities at OTC, with the primary objective of attracting investment and fostering strategic partnerships.

He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.

NAN also reports that the event was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African nations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa