PETAN tasks Shell on local content development

THE Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has sought for more collaboration with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, especially in the area of local content development in the sector.

Chairman of PETAN, Bank- Anthony Okoroafor gave this indication during a courtesy call to the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Bayo Ojulari recently. “Most of us have our roots here. 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,” Okoroafor said.

Okoroafor, who was elected last month, said the members were on a familiarisation tour of international and national oil companies to brief them on the rebranding of the group. He said PETAN had created target groups to liaise with oil companies, including SNEPCo, and would like to proffer solutions to challenges of projects, cost and production.

He said: “PETAN is already working with Shell Petroleum Development Company (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.”

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Ojulari praised the 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 that will be competitive in the global oil industry.”

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

Shell companies in Nigeria contributed very well to developing the country’s human capital and contracting capacity. Last year, 93 per cent of contracts were awarded to Nigerian companies. Shell companies in Nigeria won PETAN’s Local Content Operator of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015.