The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), a foremost association of indigenous service companies, has commended the pioneering role of Shell in the development of Nigerian content in the oil industry. “Most of us have our roots here,” said the Chairman of the association, Bank Anthony Okoroafor, as he led a team on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari. “The relationship with Shell has given us the required foundation and encouragement and we are now in a position to add value to the operations of oil companies in Nigeria.”

Mr. Okoroafor, who was elected the Chairman of PETAN in March 2016, said the members were on a familiarisation tour of international and national oil companies to brief them on the rebranding of the group that will see it play a more active role in the development of the oil and gas industry, “especially at this time of cost pressures.” He said PETAN had created target groups to liaise with oil companies, including SNEPCo, and would like to contribute solutions to challenges on projects, cost and production.

He added: “PETAN is already working with SPDC on an internship programme where graduates learn skills on one-year attachments to our companies and it will be very good to do the same with SNEPCo.”

In his remarks, Mr. Ojulari commended the role of PETAN in the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. He said: “The new executive has come at a critical time in our industry. I would advise PETAN members to collaborate more effectively so they can present a unified front work that will be competitive in the global oil industry.”

The SNEPCo MD was accompanied by his leadership team, who highlighted various areas of potential collaboration with PETAN, including project implementation, cost leadership and value-adding service to the industry.

Shell companies in Nigeria make a major contribution to developing the country’s human capital and contracting capacity. Some 93% of contracts were awarded to Nigerian companies in 2015. Shell companies in Nigeria won PETAN’s Local Content Operator of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015.

•Photo shows, L-R; Financial Secretary, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Sheba Palana; Assistant Secretary, Wole Ogunsanya; Chairman, Bank-Anthony Okoroafor; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari; PETAN Ex-Officios, Ibe Chubby Ibe and Emmanuel Onyekwena, during a courtesy visit to SNEPCo offices . . . today in Lagos.

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