sOritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Industry leaders, technology enthusiasts, students and professionals from around the world have gathered to explore innovative solutions and advancements in the oil and gas sector at the Seplat Technology Summit 4.0 in Lagos.
The two-day event themed “Leveraging Technology across the Energy Value Chain to Unlock Transformational Potential,” was packed with keynote presentations, technical sessions, panel discussions and technology exhibitions, all focused on addressing the pressing challenges faced by the energy industry.
Roger Brown, CEO of Seplat Energy Plc, who was represented by Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer of Seplat Energy, opened the summit with remarks emphasising the vital role of technological advancements in advancing the energy sector.
He said: “Seplat has become a leading Nigerian energy company and we have achieved this leading role by leveraging technology. For us, it is all about how we can be safer, cheaper, more efficient and faster in our known space, and then how we can break new ground. We are all gathered here to find lasting solutions to our lingering problems in our industry because if we do that, our industry will grow and continue to win.
“We appreciate our partners, NNPC Limited, NUIMS, NEPL, and other regulators for their strong partnership over the past four years, as well as our technology partners.”
Highlighting the need for collaboration and innovation among industry players and regulatory authorities, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, represented by Steve Ayuba, Senior Technical Adviser, NMDPRA, praised Seplat Energy for enabling the implementation of critical sections of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, setting a benchmark for the industry.
He said: “Seplat is the first entity that enabled the NMDDRA to begin to implement a very important section of the PIA, specifically section 302, where entities that were operating in the upstream and the midstream and downstream sectors were expected to unbundle their operations in such a way that entities will then be registered and incorporated to allow them to take specific advantages of what the various value chain segments are.
“We know clearly that technology optimizes how business is being done and for us in the regulatory ecosystem, technology is being used as an enabler that will help us to optimize the impact that we must be seen to be creating by ensuring that exceptional regulatory services are delivered to all the players in this value chain.”
Effiong Okon, Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited, AGPC, provided a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the energy industry during his keynote presentation while discussing the multifaceted role of technology in making oil and gas exploration seamless, efficient, and safe.
He said: “There are areas for different technology deployment for future growth. I think we looked at the hydrocarbon extraction process, which is in the long term going to be very dependent on technology.
“You know how we use seismic data for sub-surface, increasing reservoir management as well, in terms of being able to develop mature reservoirs, especially for independents like Seplat. We also use technology to help drive down crude theft, which is a unique issue in Nigeria.
“For us in Seplat, we really cannot achieve our purpose, which is to deliver sustainable energy solutions for Society, without technology. So, our purpose is going to be achieved through technology.”
Emphasising the need for repurposing redundant and deteriorating infrastructure within the industry, Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS, stated: “Can you imagine life without energy? It is impossible. The question now is, even though we don’t like emissions, and yet we need energy, how do we create a balance?”
Ibi-Ada Itotoi, the Managing Director of Seplat Eastern Assets, stated that the summit is about leveraging technology across the energy value chain to unlock transformational potential.
