THE Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, through the Sub Sharan International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, SAIPEC, has brought together experts in the oil and gas industry from around the world to chart the course towards Building the Future; Advancing Local Content and Sustainable Development in Africa Oil and Gas industry.

With the Oil and Gas Sector maintaining its dominance as major source of finance for many African countries, it has become relevant to develop sustainable ways of continuous exploration.

The SAIPEC 2025 therefore recognizes the critical role that the sector plays in driving economic growth, energy security and sustainable development in the region.

Presenting the welcome address on Tuesday in Lagos, Wole Ogunsanyan, Chairman, PETAN explained that the SAIPEC 2025 will offer opportunities for experts in the industry to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share knowledge, and explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing the industry.

He noted that PETAN, as a think-tank organization, has been keenly following industry trends, and have carefully selected the theme and sub-themes of this year’s SAIPEC “To help shape an even more positive energy outlook for Africa in tandem with our vision to deepen collaborations with governments and critical stakeholders in navigating the next phases of the oil and gas sector that holds the key to the growth and development of our national and regional economies.”

“This is why we shall be hearing from critical industry stakeholders, amongst which is the African Petroleum Producers Organization, APPO, to give insights on what is seen to be the most pressing issue facing the continent’s energy sector, – financing and other challenges.

“We are excited that international investors, development banks and private equity firms have shown a steadfast interest in the African energy market and the launch of the Africa Energy Bank by the African Export-Import Bank and APPO, was a key milestone that marked the creation of a first-of-its-kind institution designed to fund and facilitate energy initiatives across the continent with head office in Nigeria. I thank the Honorable Ministers of State and the Government for this laudable milestone,” he said.

Ogunsanyan explained that as technical and professional service providers that have just marked three decades of excellence in the oil and gas industry, PETAN is excited about several final investment decisions that have been successfully closed, including Shell’s $5.5 billion Bonga North deepwater project as well as back home, the recent award of construction license to Nigeria’s UTM FLNG as well as the awarding of 10 licenses for gas distribution across clusters by the NMDPRA.

“We also acknowledge notable developments in natural gas exploration and LNG exports with Senegal’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG reaching its first gas production and the Republic of Congo’s first LNG exports to Italy from the Congo LNG project. 

“We applaud South Africa, Egypt and Morocco who are at the forefront of wind and solar energy development, the African continent has what it takes in – human and resources – capacity to exploit the huge abundance of energy sources that we are naturally endowed with.

“We are encouraged by the strategic partnerships that we are forging, including new PSCs signed by Panoro Energy in Equatorial Guinea and BW Energy in Gabon, highlighting how international collaborations are accelerating energy development and creating new opportunities for exploration and production – the driving force behind this ever expanding conference that we are so proud of hosting for the past nine years.

“Our continued and increased engagements are key to addressing the gaps that have long hindered the growth of Africa’s energy sector.

Realnews reports that SAIPEC is an annual oil and gas event organized by PETAN that brings together African countries with the aim of providing sustainable energy solutions by Africans, in Africa and for Africans. 

A.I