For a decade and a half of its three decades of existence, Oilserv Limited has stood at the forefront of Africa’s oil and gas renaissance, translating visionary ambition into tangible infrastructure and innovative solutions. As the only indigenous contractor to sustain 15 consecutive years of sponsorship at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) through PETAN, Oilserv has not merely supported dialogue, it has shaped the trajectory of the continent’s energy transformation. From landmark pipelines to cutting-edge digital oilfield initiatives, Oilserv’s enduring pledge to excellence underscores Nigeria’s, and indeed Africa’s, emergence as a global energy powerhouse.
Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has urged African nations to unite in the fight against energy poverty. He emphasised that by working together, African countries can overcome energy poverty, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of millions of people. Lokpobiri made the call during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Pavilion hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, U.S. The theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”.
He emphasized 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. He also expressed his approval of Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President, suggesting it could help decelerate the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative. In response, APPO is in the process of establishing the African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps and free the continent from energy poverty. 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 a parallel session, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged coordinated efforts to unlock the country’s substantial natural gas reserves. Speaking at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Ekpo emphasized the importance of strategic deployment of Nigeria’s over 210 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas to drive sustainable development, industrialization, job creation, and energy security. He applauded PETAN’s efforts to promote Nigerian innovation globally and emphasized the Decade of Gas initiative, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as central to Nigeria’s energy transformation agenda.
The government is investing in infrastructures such as pipelines, processing plants, and distribution networks to enhance gas accessibility across power generation, manufacturing, transportation, and households. He also mentioned policy incentives for industries like fertilizer production and the development of modular gas hubs. He continued that innovations such as Floating LNG and regional projects like the Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline are being advanced to monetize stranded gas and expand export capacity. Ekpo also urged indigenous companies to play a leading role in the energy sector, asserting that Nigeria’s gas future belongs to local entrepreneurs as much as multinational players.
Earlier, the Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, emphasized the significance of Nigeria’s presence at OTC. The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has reportedly sparked over $8 billion in investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector through its consistent presence at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). The eight billion dollars were sourced from equipment purchases, service partnerships, and project funding facilitated through OTC relationships. PETAN has also secured funding for member companies to acquire equipment and initiated a new collaboration with Senegal to develop its offshore gas infrastructure.
The association is also exploring a government-to-government relationship for pipeline management. The future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is bright, with divestments from international oil companies to indigenous firms seen as an opportunity. PETAN is working tirelessly to support its members in acquiring critical equipment and raising funds. He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.
As part of the Nigeria Pavilion program at the OTC 2025, the cocktail dinner and awards, proudly sponsored by NNPC Limited and Oilserv Limited, celebrate the outstanding contributions of personalities and corporate bodies in the African/Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. The glamorous evening presented a great opportunity for participants to network with international business partners and unwind with African artists and entertainers.
During the Press fire-side-chat with the ministers and other dignitaries at the Awards and Dinner Ceremony, Oilserv Group General Manager, Commercial and Business Development, Engr. Cheta Okwuosa, highlighted Oilserv’s strategic contributions to the African/Nigerian Energy space noting turnkey projects executed by Oilserv; AKK Gas Pipeline Project, OB3 Gas pipeline project, Acugas Pipeline project, the Lagos state Gas Distribution Network project (GLI-IV), and over 85 other significant pipeline projects across the country.
He however, highlighted the role of technology and innovation, digital oilfields, low-carbon processing, and emissions tracking in driving progress and urged that gas projects to be made bankable and environmentally compliant to attract global financing. He thereafter commended the NMDPRA and NUPRC for their regulatory reforms, which are helping restore investor confidence.
Delegates from Oilserv Group includes Engr. Cheta Okwuosa, Group GM – CBD, Engr. Chuka Eze, MD Frazimex Engineering Ltd and Engr. Osi Okonkwo, GM FrazEnergy Ltd. The event was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African nations.
Oilserv Limited’s 15th year of consistent OTC sponsorship not only reaffirms its status as a pillar of Nigeria’s Oil & Gas landscape but also signals its ongoing dedication to technology-led growth, regional collaboration, and sustainable energy development to improve African lives.
