PETAN Urges Indigenous Oil Firms To Strengthen Technical Capacity

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has urged indigenous oil and gas companies to strengthen their technical capacity to close existing skills gaps and improve local participation in the country’s oil and gas industry.

The association said it would pursue partnerships across the sector to expand technical expertise, promote skills acquisition and improve knowledge transfer among indigenous oilfield service companies.

PETAN Publicity Secretary, who spoke on Monday during the association’s media roundtable in Lagos, said building local technical capacity was critical to the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The association stressed the need for indigenous companies to develop the expertise required to undertake more complex oilfield operations, particularly as the industry undergoes changes in asset ownership and operational responsibilities.

PETAN Chairman, Wole Ogunsanya, also highlighted the importance of developing local engineering talent and strengthening the capacity of Nigerian service companies to meet the technical demands of the industry.

He pointed to the need for more structured training opportunities for young engineers, noting that skills development would help prepare Nigerians for specialised roles and reduce the industry’s reliance on foreign expertise.

As part of efforts to address the challenge, PETAN has supported initiatives aimed at providing practical industry experience for young professionals. A two-year internship programme has recruited nearly 100 engineers, with more than 60 per cent of participants subsequently absorbed into employment.

The association has also collaborated with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to promote local technical expertise and expand opportunities for Nigerian companies and professionals.

Ogunsanya said PETAN was planning to establish a training centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, equipped with drilling rigs to provide practical training for engineers and other industry personnel.

The proposed facility is expected to strengthen hands-on learning and help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and the technical requirements of oilfield operations.

The association also underscored the importance of Nigeria’s drill-or-drop policy in encouraging exploration and development activities. Increased drilling, it said, would create more opportunities for indigenous service companies while supporting efforts to raise domestic oil and gas production.

Nigeria has an estimated 210 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, presenting significant opportunities for investment, infrastructure development and local technical services.

The country is also targeting oil production of three million barrels per day by 2030, a goal that would require sustained investment, increased exploration and stronger technical capabilities across the industry.

PETAN maintained that indigenous companies must position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities by investing in people, technology and operational expertise.

The association said stronger collaboration among industry operators, regulators, training institutions and indigenous service providers would be essential to building a more competitive local oil and gas sector.