UK, Nigerian firms explore opportunities in oil, gas sector

No fewer than 100 delegates representing 56 companies from Nigeria and the United Kingdom explored opportunities for collaboration at the annual Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme organised by Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Ltd (SNEPCo) in conjunction with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The event which held in Lagos recently brought together companies engaged in a wide variety of activities in the oil and gas industry including engineering, maintenance, fabrication and subsea support services.

Speaking at the summit, Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor, said: “The striking feature of this year’s business summit is the presence of Nigerians in the diaspora in the UK delegation. It shows that, our engagements with Nigerians to take up opportunities back home in the oil and gas industry, is being well received, and this is good news for everybody.”

The UK delegation, which included Nigerian experts in the diaspora who SNEPCo had reached in previous business summits in Aberdeen and London, first met with Shell Companies in Nigeria companies on areas of need and technical gaps.

The delegation also held networking meetings with their Nigerian counterparts which included several members of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria, Chiedu Oba, said: “Shell has a long-term and continuing commitment to Nigeria, its people and the economy. One of the most significant ways we have delivered on that commitment is by increasing the participation of Nigerian companies and individuals in our supply chain and operations to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible benefit from our activities and business.”

The General Manager Production PSC in the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS) enjoined the participating companies to work towards taking advantage of upcoming opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

He reiterated the importance of local content in the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

UKTI Director Chris Maskell thanked Shell for the continued support on the Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme.

Also speaking at a reception organised by UKTI for the suppliers, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Contend Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Denzil Kentebe lauded the Shell’s initiative to foster partnerships that will help local vendors strengthen their technical capability.