– Cites OML29 spill containment
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — An indigenous oil servicing firm, Kenyon International Limited, has appealed to oil operators in the country to give jobs and opportunities to Nigerian companies as they have developed competencies to match their foreign counterparts.
To this end, the firm said it deployed 100percent local manpower and expertise to contain the oil and gas leak from the wellhead blowout at OML29 operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration in Nembe, Bayelsa State.
Recall that the Aiteo ‘s Well 1, which blew out on Nov.5, 2021 discharged thousands of barrels of Bonny Light crude blend into the Santa Babra River for over a month, out of which the operator said thousands of barrels of emulsified crude and water sediments were recovered.
Aiteo had approached a foreign oil servicing firm, Boots and Coots, a subsidiary of Halliburton to plug the well but the firm was unable to mobilise its expatriate workforce due to the COVID-19 restrictions and hiccups which compelled the operator to look for servicing firms in-country.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenyon International Limited, Mr Victor Ekpenyong, said the feat was attributable to the enactment and implementation of the Nigerian Content Act 2010.
Ekpenyong, a member of International Well Control Forum, explained that NCDMB has helped in building the capacity of Nigerian companies by facilitating collaboration between local players and Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs.
He explained that prior to the Nigerian Content Act 2010, the OEMs and multinationals firms dominated the scene and enjoyed monopoly on oil and gas projects that Nigerians had the potential to execute but were marred by challenges.
“Many companies are having difficulties and challenging experiences in the industry through a lot of challenges. Some companies may stay for a long time without any job. Also, the issue of marketing support in the sector is equally a cause for concern because it is very expensive amidst limited capital environment to engage in marketing communications.
“Equally, COVID19 affected a lot of businesses, and some businesses are not able to meet up with orders. On the other hand, some companies have been showcasing their services at Nigerian oil and gas conferences without getting the desired patronage.”
On the over 10 years of operating under the Nigerian Content Act 2010, Ekpenyong noted that the law enabled Nigerians in the oil and gas space to be in business as it reserves categories of jobs for them.
“Prior to the implementation, the operations we do now would not have been possible for an indigenous company. It would simply be the exclusive reserve of the OEMs. These days, OEMs partner with indigenous companies which enables these companies to develop their capacity.
“It also has made some Nigerians in the diaspora move to Nigeria knowing full well that their expertise would be well utilised. Without a doubt, the implementation of this Act has been a vehicle for talent development in the country.
“We are very excited we have been given the privilege to establish businesses. I would say it is a win-win situation. There are some jobs we still partner with OEMs to deliver. It has been an inclusive venture where we work together.”
Ekpenyong, an alumnus of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, noted that there was available Nigerian technical expertise drilling services which encompasses piling, cold cutting and supply and installation of well head casing adding that patronising Nigerian firms creates more jobs and checks capital flight.
He said that other areas of expertise by indegenous players like Keyon include pumping and sealant deployment technology; well remediation which includes repair of collapsed casing and wellhead jacket, well control service which entails well capping and idle well management which include surface and subsurface securement and anti-theft installation.
