‘We’ve been at the fore-front of promoting, developing local content’

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) industry has played a major role in the development and advancement of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. Leading EPC company, Oilserv Group, is currently undergoing a major restructuring of its business operations. The Group Chief Operating Officer (GCEO), Engr. Emeka Okwuosa tells The Guardian about the company’s restructuring programme and more.

What is Oilserv all about and what does it stand for?
Oilserv is a foremost EPCIC that is Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning Company, which was incorporated in 1992, but commenced operations in 1995. We’ve been in the fore-front of promoting and developing local content and human capacity in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector, thereby contributing to the development of the Nigerian economy.

Our operations span through swamp, land and offshore locations and we have earned a reputation for quality, safety and on-time delivery of all our projects. We also have up-to-date Pipeline and Facility Repair and Rehabilitation techniques and more effective contingency plans to react to major and minor pipeline damages, including the associated metering facility.

What would you say are your major projects and achievements?
We have executed and completed major projects in Nigeria including the National Integrated Power Project (LOT 1 & 2), Construction, Installation and Commissioning of 51.4km X 12-inch Oil Pipeline System for Umugini Asset Company, Oron Gas Transmission Pipeline System, Akute Independent Power Project for OANDO Gas and Power (GASLINK), Upgrade of Ikeja Gas Metering Station for Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) and Pipeline and Facility rehabilitation services for Shell Development Company, to mention just a few.We are currently working on the biggest pipeline in Nigeria, a 136km X 48 inch gas transmission pipeline from Delta to Edo State performing various turnkey projects relating to Platforms, Production facilities and the installation of Bulklines. So we have been on ground and have been engaged in so many developmental projects in the Oil and Gas sector.

To what extent have you adhered to the Nigerian Content Law?
The introduction of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development policy by the Federal Government of Nigeria was aimed at encouraging the participation of indigenous companies in the industry, which will not only generate an increase in oil and gas production and contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, but will also lead to the engagement and employment of Nigerian youths.We’ve been in the fore-front of promoting and developing local content and human capacity in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector and we remain committed to this.

The company’s determination to give new definition to the Nigerian Content Law and expansion into other African countries has not only helped in placing us ahead of our contemporaries, but has also provided reasons for us to enhance our resource base in order to compete positively with the multinationals.
How has the company evolved over the years? Oilserv has evolved into a formidable EPCIC company in the oil and gas EPC industry. The company has continued to optimize its growth using its resources as well as through alliances and joint ventures with International companies in specific areas of the industry. We are able to offer our services beyond Nigeria, especially in the Republic of Benin, Uganda, Tanzania and Togo.
With state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, Oilserv Group provides the most reliable, sound and adequately engineered solutions to technical problems.

Oilserv Group is currently undergoing a restructuring programme. What necessitated this?
Our company is undergoing a restructuring programme to enable it provide more optimum service delivery in the EPC business in Nigeria. The restructuring programme was necessitated by the need to re-position the company for superior quality and optimal service in the face of the evolving Oil and Gas sector.
We are restructuring to align with the ever-evolving and challenging oil and gas sector. The restructuring involves the entire business operations of the group. This will enable us deliver more optimal and effective services in the Oil and Gas (Pipelines and Facility) sector.

How have you done the restructuring?
Under the new restructuring programme, Oilserv merges all its subsidiaries including Frazimex Engineering Limited, FrazPower Limited, FrazOil Limited, Ekcel Farms Limited and Crown Energy Limited to form the Oilserv Group. The company has also appointed Adegbite Falade as its Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), who oversees the day-to-day running of the group. Prior to joining the Oilserv Group, Adegbite had worked for both Shell and Oando companies in various management roles across the Energy value chain.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Ibadan, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Warwick Business School.

A spate of other appointments within the Group included that of Chris Okonkwo, formerly Chief Operating Officer for Oilserv Ltd, who has assumed the role of Group Chief Finance Officer (GCFO), Chigozie Obi as Group Head – Technical Services, Cheta Okwuosa as Group Head – Operations Support, Richie Nwobike as Head, Commercial and Business Development and Sunday Ikwuagwu, as the Public and External Relations Coordinator. Now we have a team of extremely experienced professionals with proven technical ability to drive the Oilserv business operations.