The Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) returned to the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, from 14-16 February 2023 for its 7th edition, as the only energy, oil and gas event held in partnership with the entire Sub-Saharan African petroleum industry.

Hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), with the strategic partnership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and NNPC Limited, the Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) stands as not only the largest event in the centre of the region’s energy, oil and gas hub, but also the only truly industry-led event, held in partnership with the country’s petroleum sector.

SAIPEC’s content and proceedings are driven by an esteemed steering committee and speakers, representing a cross-section of key stakeholders and the most senior representatives from the Sub-Saharan Africa oil and gas industry, delivering high-level strategic sessions and discussions on game-changing solutions, combined with an international exhibition.

SAIPEC continues to place its emphasis on the future of the energy, oil and gas industry through Sub Saharan Africa with collaboration at the forefront of its objective and local content at its nucleus. It annually attracts hundreds of NOCs, IOCs, EPC contractors, service companies, technology providers and the whole oil and gas value chain for engaging and progressive discussions, business transactions and cross border collaboration.

Oilserv as a pioneer member of PETAN, sponsored the event in the Silver category. The features of the sponsorship category were greatly utilized; a strategic branding option (Delegates, Exhibitors and Visitors badge branding) enabled us to position the OILSERV Brand in the hands and minds of every individual that participated in the event. In other words, Oilserv stole the show; our logo was all over the place giving us great visibility while crystalizing our position as Africa’s EPC giant.

A key highlight of the event was the GCEO’s participation on day two in a panel session on “GAS”. The session portrayed how far we are on the Decade of Gas target, how cross border and unilateral partnerships play a key role in unlocking Africa’s Gas and the technologies available to develop the resources speedily, given Europe’s need for its importation, participation of local industries in gas projects, financing and enablers available to international and independent companies, and with several new Gas finds in Africa, how Africa can harness the resource and maximize its potential whilst adhering to energy transition.

As usual and expected, the Energy Icon; Engr. Emeka Okwuosa left no stone unturned as he dissected the topic way down to a lay man’s understanding.  He talked about Oilserv’s involvement in the entire energy value chain, the efficacy of gas infrastructure, the need for virtual pipelines and how Oilserv built several systems in Nigeria such as the Greater Lagos Gas distribution system that changed the gas distribution narrative in Nigeria, AKK, OB3 project and many more.

The session which was moderated by Mr. Victor Okoronkwo, Group MD, Aiteo, and other panellists including Dr. Riverson Oppong of Ghana National Gas Company, Mr. Ed Ubong of Shell Nigeria Gas and President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Lateef Biobaku of Nigeria LNG Ltd, Mr. Sunday Okunbor, Manager ND Western, and Engr. Ayo Cardoso of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, was a rich, information, educative and thought-provoking session.

Another exciting show or feature was OILSERV’s first of its kind conference technical paper presentation titled “Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) as an alternative to securing Pipelines “. The presentation which was very well delivered by Chinedu Ene, was very engaging with a brainstorming question and answer session after the presentation. The presentation strategy further exposed Oilserv as a technologically driven leader in the EPC space.

The exhibition part of the event was also great, the team led by Engr. Cheta Okwuosa engaged and entertained guests from all over sub-Saharan Africa and recorded a strong opportunity funnel for follow up. Overall, it was an exciting, purposeful and eventful outing