The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has recommended five research works conducted under the second edition of the oil and gas research competition for PTDF annual research award. The decision was said to have been taken after a rigorous and transparent selection process.

The Executive Secretary of the fund, Oluwole Oluleye, expressed hope that the research results will significantly add a great value to the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the occasion of the close out seminar for the 2012/2013 annual oil and gas research grant competition in Abuja, the PTDF ES said: “As a Fund, we are determined to improve on our previous achievements as adequate mechanisms have been put in place for the award of the 2013/2014 research grant.

“I want to assure you that adequate attention shall henceforth be given to renewable and unconventional energy in our future grants. The discovery of oil in neighbouring Niger and Chad Republic has given an encouraging prospect of oil discovery in the Nigerian sedimentary basins.”

This, according to him, will no doubt boost the nation’s oil reserve.

Oluwole’s words: “While progress is made in the discovery of fossil fuels in the Chad Basin, we should not lose sight of the fact that there is a global shift to environmentally source of energy. In this regard the Fund will sponsor more researchers on the production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible fruits.

“Meanwhile, resources have been committed in these areas and the result has been positive, although, more work needs to be done, as we continue our efforts at ensuring biofuel production on a commercial scale in the next research cycle.”

Giving a background of the primary mandate of the competition, Mr. Oluwole explained that the PTDF annual oil and gas research grant competition is aimed at fulfilling the mandate of PTDF to develop indigenous manpower and domicile oil and gas technology in Nigeria through an effective engagement of local researchers in solving industry problems.

Oluwole added that useful research results with high potentials for gaining international property rights and patents are critical performance indicators of the programme. He further noted that research outcomes and results are crystallised into various publications as source and reference materials for the repository of knowledge in the industry, academia and the public.

•Photo shows PTDF Executive Secretary, Oluwole Oluleye.