James Arukhe, a renowned oil and gas expert, asserts that bridging this gap and reviving Nigeria’s oil sector is not just a matter of necessity but an opportunity for transformative growth.
Despite having one of the largest oil reserves in Africa, the country faces a critical shortfall in meeting both its local and international energy obligations.
Speaking on how Nigeria can turn the tide, Arukhe said the answer lies in strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, security, environmental sustainability, and human capital, coupled with policy reforms.
“By fostering a collaborative environment where the government and private entities operate in mutual respect, Nigeria can unlock unprecedented revenue streams, gradually overcoming its forex crisis,” he enthused.
These strategies, Arukhe emphasizes, address both the immediate operational efficiencies required in the oil sector and the critical need for long-term sustainability.
The expert’s advocacy for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques and digital oilfield technologies aligns with his vision for a modernized, efficient, and resilient Nigerian oil sector.
His belief in the power of collaboration between government and industry players is founded on a proven track record of fostering high-performance teams and driving significant operational improvements across multinational corporations.
Nigeria is expected to continue investments in the exploration of fossil fuels despite the pressure mounted by the West for the discontinuation of investments, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri at a recent energy summit in Abuja.
Arukhe said to boost its oil production capabilities, Nigeria could adopt Brazil’s model of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and policy reforms that spurred investments in deep-water oil reserves.
Key strategies include streamlining regulatory processes for exploration and production licenses, offering fiscal incentives to attract private investment, and facilitating technology and expertise sharing between private firms and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
These measures, inspired by Brazil’s success with Petrobras and international oil companies, could significantly boost Nigeria’s oil sector, Arukhe added.
‘’To enhance Nigeria’s oil production and address environmental concerns, investments should focus on cleaner technologies like carbon capture and renewable energy integration. Implementing effective oil spill management systems and aligning with international environmental standards will minimize ecological impact.
‘’These measures will contribute to sustainable operations, balancing production efficiency with environmental protection, and align with global climate change initiatives’’, he noted.
With a rich background as a senior engineer and educator, Arukhe has shaped the production operations of the world’s largest oilfields, including those of Saudi Aramco, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Petro-Canada. His portfolio of innovation, marked by over 40 U.S. patents, underscores commitment to advance the oil and gas sector through technology.
Arukhe’s patented turbine-powered pump systems for enhancing oil recovery, U.S. Patent No. 11,391,132, exemplifies his approach to tackling operational efficiencies and maximizing output, which could be transformative for Nigeria’s oil production landscape.
As a distinguished lecturer for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the founder of the Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Education Society (PCEES), Arukhe has consistently championed the integration of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices in oil and gas operations.
