PETAN companies at forefront of oil industry advancement – Ene

Emeka Ene, the chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), in an interview with Olusola Bello at the organisation’s annual award dinner in Lagos spoke on the capability of member-companies, and milestone achievements by the group. Excerpts:

If you are to take the aggregate contribution of PETAN in the last few years, in terms of dollar value or monetary value into account, how would you aggregate?

When you look at the last 20 years of our industry, if you go back to 23 years, go back to 1990 when PETAN was formed, I would say, these are the three phases in our industry.

Before 1990 to 1999, you will see that the industry in terms of local content and contribution of services was very low. And then between 2000, 2001 and 2010, PETAN advocated policy changes that came up, initiated by NNPC at the time, which evolved into policies that guided the industry. Again, PETAN was right in the middle of all of that.

Now, the last phase which is 2010 to 2013; we’ve seen what I will call a quantum leap or a step change in the use of Nigerian services in our industry. If you want to convert it into monetary value, I want you to look at it from this perspective. PETAN today offers 250 discreet technical services. We employ over 20,000 Nigerians, collateral impact on employment is over 200,000 Nigerians. PETAN companies now, routinely offer services outside the shores of Nigeria.

Ultimately, oil as a commodity can only go so far. So, you sell oil and that’s it. But oil as an activity enabler, which is what PETAN stands for, is multiples of value that stretch into generations. Not just buying and selling oil but actually using oil resources to contribute to the development of the economy.

You talk of petroleum technology; but what is your association doing as a body and in research to boost local technology for operations in Nigerian oil industry?

Which one comes first? The opportunity or the demand is essential for us to grow the industry. Technology is an enabler. Technology know-how, ultimately, the countries with the greatest know-how are the countries with the greatest technology and therefore, the greatest benefit in terms of economy. So, without know-how, we cannot grow.

However, without demand, you cannot attract the know-how that you need. Therefore, the search for technology or the urge to talk about technology is something that is part of providing service. PETAN companies today are at the forefront of manufacturing what they use in doing the work.

Every single day in the oil industry, no single well, no single project is the same. It is never the same and that is one of the mistakes people make when they say ‘Oh, show me the technology’.

PETAN companies are techno-centric companies in what they do. There is nothing that is just a single walk in the park. It involves a high level of know-how and a high level of expertise so that you don’t blow up people or hurt people.

So, to deliver these services over 23 years in this industry must count for something and it is that know-how that represents the essence of what it takes to operate within the Nigerian oil industry and under the umbrella of PETAN.

What are the landmark strides you have to celebrate for 2013?

As a body, I can say that the largest pipeline construction project which historically and traditionally would have gone to multinational companies is actually being handled by two PETAN members.

You know, the Trans Niger Delta pipelines; two PETAN members are handling it and that’s a milestone. We’ve had milestones in the deepwater offshore; in fact, a PETAN company is part of the engineering team involved in the project.

We had PETAN companies involved, one way or another in pipe mill projects. And you will notice that I’ve chosen to provide my answer within the context of work done in this industry.

PETAN has partnered closely the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to pioneer an internship programme to develop human capital. PETAN has initiatives for joint industry projects in R&D, and all of these things are just a few milestones.

What informed the decision of PETAN to hold award dinners annually?

Essentially, PETAN is providing leadership, not just advocating for level playing field in the industry. In addition to that, leadership entails recognising achievements, it entails expanding the scope of the industry in terms of identifying the stakeholders in our industry that have contributed to moving the industry forward.

PETAN also uses the opportunity of an annual dinner to appreciate our clients because in providing services to the industry, we also want to appreciate our clients. It is centred on leadership and leadership means showing and leading by example.