. As Stakeholders advocates for increase in crude oil output to boost local refineries
As the global energy landscape continues to see various dynamics, International cooperation and knowledge sharing are crucial for addressing global energy challenges and promoting sustainable energy development. Ugo Amadi Reports
As the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) successfully concluded drawing many energy professionals, policymakers, and scholars from more than 100 countries around the world who are shaping the future of offshore energy. This year’s conference featured groundbreaking technologies, a world-class technical program, and transformative conversations about offshore energy’s next frontiers.
It expedient to note that Africa stands at a critical juncture in the global energy landscape, rich in hydrocarbon reserves but burdened by energy poverty, foreign dependency, and the pressures of a shifting global energy paradigm.
However, at the forefront of Africa’s strategy to address these issues is the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), a consortium of indigenous oilfield service companies leading a continental push toward local content development and strategic energy partnerships.
Established in 1990, PETAN has evolved from advocating equitable opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to exporting oilfield expertise across Africa.Its blueprint—built on indigenous capacity and regional collaboration—offers a practical path to energy independence and sustainable economic growth.
As more African nations discover oil and gas resources, the PETAN model is increasingly seen as a template for success. In spite of persistent challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, limited access to finance, and technology gaps, PETAN remains resolute.
Its presence at global conferences like the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston has significantly amplified Nigeria’s footprint in the global energy space. Through the Nigerian Pavilion at OTC 2025, PETAN showcased indigenous capabilities, fostered international partnerships, and reinforced its commitment to local content development.
With its arrays of programs and event , PETAN also, highlighted cutting-edge technology in the oil and gas industry, promoting innovation and investment opportunities. It similarly invited expressions of interest in its flagship programs, including the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, to attract investments in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The conference also provided insights into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, discussing opportunities and challenges, such as increasing crude oil output to boost local refineries. The conference urged African nations forge a united front in the fight against energy poverty across the continent. This is in a bid to boost energy access and drive economic prosperity in the continent
Speaking at the opening ceremony ,the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri called on the African nations to be united in fighting against energy poverty
According to him ‘’ by working together, African countries can overcome energy poverty, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of millions of people.
The theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”.
The Minister stated that by pooling resources, African countries can invest in large-scale energy projects, reducing costs and increasing efficiency also, Collaboration can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technologies, and expertise, accelerating progress in the energy sector.
Also, the minister stressed the need for Africa to develop cohesive policies that are tailored to the continent’s unique circumstances, warning that fragmented approaches would be ineffective in addressing the escalating energy deficit.
“This conference is not a jamboree. It is a platform for Nigeria, and by extension, Africa—to showcase its vast potential,” Lokpobiri said.
He underscored the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) as a strategic entity established to devise shared solutions for the continent’s energy challenges.
Lokpobiri also expressed his approval of Donald Trump’s return as President of U.S., suggesting it could help decelerate what he termed the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative, saying,” it has put Africa at a disadvantage”.
According to him, the prevailing global discourse on energy transition is largely influenced by geopolitical considerations.
In response to this challenge, he announced that APPO is in the process of establishing the African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps and ultimately free the continent from energy poverty.
“This is an opportunity to let you know that your concerns are gradually being addressed.“As members of APPO, we are in partnership with Afrexim Bank, which during our last meeting disclosed that it has an exposure of nearly $14 billion.
“This amount, along with an additional $5 billion as the initial take-off capital, will be transferred to the African Energy Bank—bringing the total to over $19 billion,” he disclosed.
He further stated that the African Energy Bank is scheduled to begin operations within the current quarter.
Lokpobiri called on African nations to repatriate investments held overseas and channel them into the African Energy Bank to bolster the continent’s energy security.
In his address, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr John Abdullahi, acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in the region.
He stated that while Ghana is a relatively new player in the oil and gas sector, it is eager to learn from Nigeria’s experiences and reforms, especially in the areas of local content development and climate policy.
“We will continue to consult Nigeria as we build a successful oil and gas industry. “The collaboration between both countries remains strong,” Abdullahi said
In his own speech , The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, however, called for decisive and unified action to unlock the country’s vast natural gas reserves.
Ekpo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a globally competitive, gas-powered economy while speaking on the theme of the session “Harnessing Nigeria’s Gas Potential for Domestic Utilisation and Global Export Market”.
He noted that “Nigeria holds over 210 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves; Africa’s largest and among the top ten globally.“This resource is a divine gift, but it comes with a responsibility—to use it for sustainable development, job creation, industrialisation, and global energy security,”Ekpo said.
He said that “potential alone does not generate growth, action does.
The minister commended PETAN for showcasing Nigeria’s innovation on the world stage and emphasised that the country’s Decade of Gas initiative, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is central to national energy transformation.
However, the PETAN says its consistent presence at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has spurred over eight billion dollars in investments for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Its Chairman, Mr Wole Ogunsanya,explained that the eight billion dollars in investments stemmed from equipment purchases, service partnerships, and project funding facilitated through relationships built at OTC.
“Just last year, we supported the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with their roadshow, and all the oil fields they presented were fully subscribed,” he noted.
“This is why we are here annually, to connect with the global oil and gas community and bring value back to Nigeria.”
Ogunsanya further said that PETAN recently concluded a funding agreement for member companies to acquire equipment, adding that a new collaboration was initiated with Senegal, developing its offshore gas infrastructure.
“Senegal has invited countries like Canada, France, and Morocco for technical support, but they’ve also expressed a strong interest in collaboration with sub-Saharan Africa, specifically with Nigeria Gas Company (NGC).“A government-to-government relationship is being explored for pipeline management,” he said.
Reflecting on PETAN’s journey over the past 30 years, Ogunsanya credited the foresight of the founding members for Nigeria’s current oil production capabilities.
“The future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is bright,” he said. “There’s a shift underway with divestments from international oil companies to indigenous firms, and we see it as an opportunity, not a setback.”
He stressed the importance of increasing and sustaining national production, targeting 2.5 to three million barrels per day regardless of global oil prices.
He also highlighted current refining efforts, pointing to a projected refining capacity of 1.4 million barrels daily, including the BUA Group’s ongoing construction of a 350,000-barrel refinery.
“We cannot afford to be passive. PETAN is working tirelessly to support its members in acquiring critical equipment and raising funds,” Ogunsanya affirmed.“The federal government, the National Oil Company, and Nigerian E&P companies are united in this mission.” “Our goal is simple: to secure sustainable oil production and revenue generation to support national development.
He also, urged for an urgent scale-up in crude oil output to match Nigeria’s growing refining capacity and boost export and domestic supply.
Ogunsanya said Nigeria currently produces around 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), but must increase this to at least 2.5 to 3 million bpd.
He explained the country’s refineries need about 900,000 bpd—comprising 650,000 bpd for Dangote, 200,000 bpd for NNPC, and 50,000 bpd for modular plants.
“To remain self-sufficient and globally competitive, Nigeria must urgently develop a strategy to grow oil production sustainably,” Ogunsanya stated. He stressed that meeting local demand without hurting exports is crucial for stable revenue generation in the oil-dependent economy.
Ogunsanya also highlighted key infrastructure challenges impeding output growth, including a shortage of rigs, equipment, and pipeline networks.
He said PETAN is addressing these issues by investing in domestic capacity to support increased production targets. Ogunsanya welcomed the recent approval of three Final Investment Decisions (FIDs), calling them a game-changer for Nigerian oilfield service providers. “These FIDs create opportunities for PETAN members and the wider Nigerian oil services industry,” he said.
He added they would also reduce idle equipment and generate jobs across the energy value chain.
Ogunsanya affirmed PETAN’s commitment to merit-based competition, saying: “We seek no favours — only a fair chance to prove our capabilities.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s rising presence at OTC 2025, Ogunsanya expressed satisfaction with the country’s showing.
“This year saw a more unified and impactful Nigerian Pavilion, reflecting the Minister of Petroleum’s directive,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is at a turning point, where output growth and collaboration are vital for long-term success.
In his remarks ,Dr. Innocent Akuvue, Publicity Secretary of PETAN., emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s presence at OTC. According to him “This year’s event, under the Nigerian Pavilion, really showcased Africa’s growing role in the global energy sector.
He noted that PETAN’s consistent participation over the years had significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.
The Petan Publicity expressed that the OTC 2025 facilitated networking and collaboration among industry stakeholders, creating opportunities for PETAN members and the wider Nigerian oil services industry.
According to him , this is one of the best we have seen in recent times. I know that most companies that couldn’t exhibit this year will surely do so nest next. We are likely to see oversubscription of exhibitors in 2026 OTC
The event was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African nation. The 2025 OTC hosted nine executive dialogues, 18 keynotes, 53 technical sessions, and more than 360 technical presentations.
The exhibition featured over 1,000 companies showcasing advanced technologies, from virtual reality tools to interactive offshore innovations. The Nigerian Pavilion, coordinated by PETAN, delivered three technical sessions, attracted over 70 participants, and hosted around 40 exhibitors.
While at the global level, this year’s agenda featured nine executive dialogues, 18 keynote addresses, 53 technical sessions and more than 360 technical presentations. The exhibition featured more than 1,000 companies showcasing cutting-edge solutions—from virtual reality to interactive installations—that are propelling the offshore sector forward.
The Around the World Series spotlighted nine delegations from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and several African nations, offering attendees fresh perspectives on regional approaches, policy developments, and cross-border collaborations in offshore energy. OTC 2025 also featured an exclusive keynote from Chris Lemons, a world-renowned saturation diver whose survival story captivated the world and inspired a Netflix documentary and major motion picture, sharing insights from his high-risk career and the importance of human resilience in extreme offshore environments.
“OTC is the cornerstone event for the offshore energy sector, bringing together high-caliber professionals from all over the world,” said Alex Martinez, Chair of the OTC Board. “There is no other event at this scale where the brightest minds and industry-leading companies assemble to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and work to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges. From the latest technology to generation-changing policy discussions, this year’s success reflects the industry’s commitment to shaping the future of energy, advancing innovations and fostering global collaboration.”
Since 2010, OTC has generated more than USD $1.6 billion in additional income for Houston’s economy, reinforcing its role as a vital hub for the global energy sector. The event continues to drive business for local hotels, restaurants, and service providers while strengthening the city’s position as the global epicenter for energy innovation and dialogue.
OTC’s global events, including its flagship Houston event, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia, have welcomed more than 3 million professionals. It is the largest and most prestigious platform where industry leaders converge to exchange ideas, explore the latest innovations, and build invaluable connections. Be a part of the community that drives the future of offshore energy by attending an OTC .
