NAPENews Magazine September 2022 Edition

AUG/SEPT 2022 

EDITION 

Celebrating an 

ICON @ 80 

Theme: 

Asset Divestment: 

Operational Capability or 

Energy Security Challenges 

NAPE 40th AICE Calendar 

ASUU Strike and Data Accessibility 

for Research and Development 

Technical Review on 

Caritas University Gas Flare 

Excerpts from the 

Divestment Workshop 

Technical/Editorial Leads Interview 

NAPE Partners with 

African Energy Conference 

Mountain Top University Student 

Chapter Inauguration

Corporate Ad

EDITOR’S NOTE 

ollowing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries 

F(OPEC's) Nigeria quota increase for crude oil production in 

August, September came with a new blow. Oil production fell 

below 1 million barrels per day, as reported by the regulators. This 

decline is a present threat to Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation's 

already strained finances, growth indices and fiscal policies. This 

reduction represents the ailing and depreciating state of our industry 

amidst serious oil theft and growing national insecurity. 

This September, exports were the lowest since about 1990, mainly 

due to pipeline theft. Puzzlingly, OPEC's data also highlights that at 

the high of the crippling militant attacks in the Niger Delta, the 

nation's output never fell below 1.4million bpd. These issues should 

worry each of us, as Nigeria has now slipped behind Angola as 

Africa's largest exporter in July 2022. This begs the question: Where 

is Africa's Giant? 

At the recent NAPE divestment workshop, erudite Industry captains 

posited that years of declining IOC investments, lack of 

maintenance and operational challenges are to blame for this 

menacingly reduced capacity. While these are tenable, the polity, 

Nigeria's ever-changing socio-political landscape shall also take 

some of the blame for the current investment landscape. 

The outcome of the divestment workshop is the central theme in this 

edition, and the editorial team have collated short excerpts from two 

of these presentations. One given by Mr. Roger Brown, CEO Seplat 

Energy on Seplat's Opportunities Journey, Lesson Learnt, Best 

Practices and Vision 2030, the other by Mr. Austin Avuru FNAPE on 

Funding Challenges, Divestment Strategies, and Incentives. This 

edition doesn't do as much justice as being in the room, but it 

provides a lot of reflections that will get you thinking. There is an 

additional feature article on “Evolution Of Independents Into 

International Oil Companies”. 

A few changes were made to our elections campaigns modalities 

this year. The Executive Committee resolved to keep our 

electioneering campaigns within the NAPE community as much as 

possible. This decision was taken to ensure continued professional 

cordiality and to create a level playing field for all candidates running 

for election into the various positions in the Executive Committee, as 

well as keep our affairs private. This move not only helps us better 

manage the privacy & confidentiality of members, but also ensures 

that our Association does not breach any national or international 

data law. 

With this, we hope to show that volunteering and campaigning for 

elective positions can be cordial and without rancor. We believe as 

an executive body, that raising your hand to volunteer is always a 

win. 

The candidates for this year's election are showcased here and 

seizing the opportunity to remind you that voting is currently 

ongoing, and you should not forget to cast your votes. 

Over the course of this year, we have amplified our presence at 

various national and organizational events from the NIES, NOG, 

SPE and the recently concluded Association of Energy 

Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) Conference. We continue to 

leverage on our power houses: indefatigable Fellows, respected 

Advisory Board(s) and Board of Trustees members, members and 

organizations represented within the NAPE community. 

Collaboration has been a key focus for this administration; here we 

share the news of the 2022 Africa Energy Conference strategic 

partnership with NAPE. 

At a recent company road show visit, an executive made this 

comment that got me thinking. “We definitely will be coming to 

NAPE to seek the very deep experts' support for our upcoming 

educational program for the Oil & Gas Industry”. Comments such as 

these makes me wonder if we are leveraging enough on our inhouse 

subject matter experts to teach and mentor newer / younger 

technical professionals. Do you think we are? Personally, I think, 

there is room for more… 

Our Chapters continue to render top quartile presentations at their 

monthly fora. These are featured to grant you the opportunity to 

catch up with the recordings over the NAPE YouTube Channel for 

your continuous learning. 

Listed-in are featured articles on the seemingly non-ending ASUU 

Strike, NAPE's editorial team's detailed findings on the Caritas Fire, 

Young Professionals activities and the newly inaugurated NAPE 

Student Chapter of the Mountain Top University. 

Our Executive feature showcases the Technical Editorial team 

leadership duo of Dr. Christopher Jackson, NAPE Editor in Chief, 

and Victoria Okorie, the Assistant Editor in Chief. They spoke to 

various aspects of their volunteering experience, the virtual field trip 

that has come to stay, and shared a portfolio of their achievements to 

date. 

The danger of an editorial is that once you read it, you may assume 

you have read the full magazine. Not this one, because there are 

several other amazing articles, activities, and features as well as top 

industry news hidden within this edition. Our forthcoming 40th 

Annual Conference schedule of activities is one of such. 

As we share more information, kindly follow the news. This 

forthcoming conference is packed with note-worthy activities that 

will aid your personal development, professional growth and support 

your industry network portfolio. Register early and don't miss it. 

As you read, don't forget to Share, Grow and Live. Wishing you more 

success. 

To Your Feats 

Tunbosun Afolayan

NAPENews is the magazine of 

the Nigerian Association of 

Petroleum Explorationists 

(NAPE). 

NAPENews EDITORIAL 

BOARD 

Tunbosun Afolayan 

(NAPE Publicity Secretary/ 

Editor, NAPENews) 

Adewale Sadiq 

(Deputy Editor, NAPENews) 

Victoria Okorie 

(NAPE Assistant Editor-in-Chief/ 

Contributor) 

Promise Ekeh 

(Contributor) 

Timipire Potoki 

(YP Contributor) 

Elshalom Omokpariola 

(Contributor) 

Princewill Okechukwu 

(Contributor) 

Frank Phido 

(Media Consultant) 

Abieyuwa Ogbebor 

(Secretariat Support) 

Tunde Adedeji 


Lawrence Osuagwu 


Graphics Consultant 

Karoreva Resources Limited 

The Nigerian Association of 

Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) 

Secretariat, 

47A Femi Okunnu Housing Estate, 

Lekki Expressway, Lekki Peninsula, 

Lagos, Nigeria. 

P.M.B. 12598, Marina, Lagos. 

Tel: +234 (0) 1 342 9082 

+234 (0) 909 214 3198 

info@nape.org.ng 

www.nape.org.ng 

Trustees of the Nigerian 

Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists (NAPE) 

Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, FNAPE 

(Chairman) 

Mr. Austin Avuru, FNAPE 

Dr. D. Lambert Aikhionbare, FNAPE 

Dr. ‘Layi Fatona, FNAPE 

Mavuaye James Orife, FNAPE 

Advisory Council of the 

Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists (NAPE) 

Dr. ‘Layi Fatona, FNAPE (Chairman) 

Mrs. Patience Maseli, FNAPE (Secretary) 

Dr. Ebi Omatsola, FNAPE 

Mr. Abiodun Adesanya, FNAPE 

Mr. Austin Avuru, FNAPE 

Prof. C. S. Nwajide, FNAPE 

Dr. D. Lambert-Aikhiobare, FNAPE 

Mr. George Osahon, FNAPE 

Mr. Kanu Kanu, FNAPE 

Mr. Nedo Osayande, FNAPE 

Mrs. Patricia Ochogbu, FNAPE 

Mr. Reginald Mbah, FNAPE 

Mr. Abraham Udoh 

Mr. Aliyu Adamu 

Mr. Ekpei Ukam 

Dr. Gbolade Olalere 

Mrs. Rosina Basorun 

DISCLAIMER 

The Nigerian Association of 

P e t r o l e u m E x p l o r a t i o n i s t s 

(NAPE) accepts no responsibility 

for the views expressed in any 

article in this publication. All 

views expressed, except where 

explicitly stated otherwise, 

represent those of the author, 

and not The Nigerian Association 

of Petroleum Explorationists 

(NAPE). All rights reserved. No 

paragraph in this publication 

may be reproduced, copied or 

transmitted save with written 

permission. The information 

contained in this magazine has 

been provided as a public 

service. All effort has been made 

to ensure its accuracy and 

reliability, NAPENews makes no 

warranties, representations, 

e x p r e s s e d o r i m p l i e d , 

c o n c e r n i n g t h e a c c u r a c y , 

reliability or completeness of 

the information contained in 

t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n . T h e 

information in this bulletin is 

provided on an “as is” basis 

without warranty or condition. 

NAPENEWS AUG/SEPT 2022 04

NAPE EXECUTIVE 

FEATURES 

13 Decadence of Nigerian Geoscience 

Education: ASUU Strike and Data 

Accessibility for Research and 

Development 

CONTENTS 

REGULAR 

Editor’s Desk 

President’s Desk 

03 

06 

14 NAPE Technical Team Review on ‘Natural 

Gas-induced Fire Outbreak’ At Caritas 

University 

18 African Energy Week collaborate(s) with 

NAPE 

19 Interview: Dr. Christopher Jackson 

22 Interview: Victoria Okorie 

37 NAPE 2022 Divestment Workshop 

45 Evolution of Independents into 

International Oil Companies 

50 Conference Schedule 

53 NAPE 2022 Election 

55 Pre-Conference Workshop Activities 

About NAPE 

Nigerian Oil and Gas 

Industry Activities 

Technical Paper: Depositional 

Evolution and Sequence 

Stratigraphy of the Amasiri 

Sandstone Member of the 

Eze-Aku Formation, 

Southern Benue Trough 

NAPE in the News 

Chapter Activities 

YP Reports 

08 

10 

24 

52 

57 

62 

63 Inauguration of the NAPE Students 

Chapter at Mountain Top University 


President’s Desk 

Dear Esteemed Members, 

I welcome you to the second edition of NAPE News for the 

year 2022. It is always my pleasure to engage with you. 

2022 has been a kind of a year, from recovering from the 

COVID-19 pandemic to the pressure on OPEC to fill the 

void created by the Russia - Ukraine war and 

accompanying sanctions. Sadly, as a nation, we continue 

to grapple with decreasing production capacity, due to 

operational challenges and diminishing investments. 

In the second half of the year, award letters were finally 

issued to the 57 successful bidders from the 2020 

Marginal Fields Bid Round. The state-owned Nigerian 

National Petroleum Company (NNPC) transformed to 

NNPC Limited, a commercial venture, as mandated by the 

PIA, unveiling their new logo and corporate agenda, of 

plans to expand Nigeria's natural gas reserves, tackle 

flaring, and creating more opportunities for our growing 

young adult population. 

In Nigeria, oil theft, oil pipeline vandalism, weak and 

ageing infrastructure, and several other issues continue to 

plague our ability to meet our production quota, even for 

national energy consumption. Oil theft continues to rise 

high as a major source of concern. It is imperative that our 

government doubles up on its efforts to solve these 

problems. 

At NAPE, our Executive Committee continues to strive for 

excellence, and we are unrelenting in our public advocacy 

efforts for the betterment of the oil and gas community and 

the nation at large. 

“ 

In Nigeria, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, 

weak & ageing infrastructure, and 

other issues continue to plague our 

ability to meet production quota, even 

for national energy consumption. 

In July we held a very successful workshop on 

divestments in the oil & gas industry, and what a brilliant 

outing we had. The event offered a unique blend of 

perspective as to various opportunities in the asset 

divestment conversation Many thanks to our brilliant array 

of speakers, panelists and moderators, many of whom are 

distinguished Fellows of our Association. This suggests 

” 

that our Fellowship Awardees continue to rise to provide 

much needed industry strategic insights & guidance and 

truly, stay deserving of their Fellowship, 

My most recent outing was at the annual conference of 

the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria 

(NAEC), here, I presented on the theme: Energy 

Transition: "Shaping the future of Nigeria's energy 

industry, an appraisal of PIA, Evolving Benefits and 

Challenges." 

Beyond speaking to these focussed themes, I endeavour 

to always amplify and share what our Association, is 

doing to ensure smooth energy transition in the country. 

Some of which include educational empowerment and 

support through capacity development & application of 

transferable skills through our UAP / Technical programs. 

Others are: 

• Inclusion & advocacy for net-zero emissions to 

build economic efficiency 

• Shared business & technical know-how on 

strategies for harnessing divestment opportunities 

through the recently held divestment workshop 


To celebrate our 40th outing, several Pre- Conference 

events have been planned, they include, a Charity Walk 

on the 15th of October, Pre-Conference Workshop on the 

26th of October, Golf Tournament from 4 - 6 November, 

Short Courses and a Virtual Field trip from 11 - 12 

November. 

The Pre-Conference Workshop will x-ray the topic of 

Energy Security & Transition Strategies: Opportunities 

and Challenges in Nigeria. The prestigious Management 

Session and All Convention Luncheon also feature very 

interesting themes. 

This will be a conference you will not forget, as the 

President-Elect, Mr. Elliot Ibie FNAPE and his team of 

volunteers within the Conference Planning Committee are 

working extra smart to ensure we have a great event. I 

invite you to register for this event via our website: 

www.conference.nape.org.ng 

• Technical support to public & private industry 

policies through technical fora, workshops and 

conferences. 

Our flagship event, the Olympics of Oil & Gas events in 

Nigeria and sub-Sahara, the 40th Annual International 

Conference & Exhibition (AICE) is the 40th edition in our 

47-year history. It is slated to hold physically at the Eko 

Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from 13 - 17 

November 2022. The theme for this year is Global Energy 

Transition and the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry: 

Evolving Regulations, Emerging Concepts & 

Opportunities. 

“ 

...educational empowerment 

and support through capacity 

development & application of 

transferable skills through our 

UAP / Technical programs. 

” 

“ 

NAPE's roots have sunken deep 

in fostering professionalism 

and advocacy in the Nigerian 

Upstream Oil & Gas Industry. 

” 

In closing, I would like to say a big thank you to our 

sponsors, exhibitors and registered participants, and 

particularly to organisations who at our road shows 

continue to assure us of their commitment to our 

Association. To hear of their assurance at every turn is not 

only comforting, but it is also a reflection of how deep 

NAPE's roots have sunken in fostering professionalism 

and advocacy in the Nigerian Upstream Oil & Gas 

Industry. 

As you read this edition of NAPE news, I urge you to 

remain proud of your membership of this great Association 

and your continuing relevance in belonging to this 

prestigious profession. Kindly stay committed to being a 

solution provider and top contributor at your workplace. 

Keep demonstrating ethos & integrity, and continue to 

volunteer for NAPE programmes and activities. 

Thank you for your time and enjoy your read. 

Yours' in Service 

Dr. James Edet, FNAPE 


APE, an acronym for “Nigerian Association of 

NPetroleum Explorationists” is the largest 

professional association of petroleum 

geologists and related disciplines in Nigeria and 

Africa. Members include geologists, geophysicists, 

CEOs, managers, consultants, other professionals, 

and students academicians. 

NAPE was founded in August 1975 by Akomeno 

Oteri.The society which started with only 10 people 

attending the inaugural meeting at Federal Palace 

Hotel in August 1975 now has 12,535 individual 

members and 178 supporting corporate members. 

This Association is undeniably the largest Upstream 

Oil & Gas professional body for Geoscientists. There 

are currently six (6) regional NAPE Chapters in 

addition to the Lagos Headquarters (Foundation 

Chapter). The NAPE Chapters are located both in and 

outside Africa and the Chapters are Abuja, Benin, 

Port-Harcourt, UK/Europe, Uyo/Calabar and Warri 

Chapters. Each Chapter is headed by a Chapter 

Chairman who is a member of the NAPE Executive 

Committee. 

Our vision and mission statements are “To be the 

preferred professional petroleum geosciences 

association with a global reach” and “To promote the 

study and practice of petroleum geosciences for the 

benefit of members and other stakeholders” 

BENEFITS OF NAPE MEMBERSHIP 

Membership provides a platform to network, promote 

and learn about the geological sciences with 

emphasis on the exploration of petroleum. NAPE's 

mandate is to continuously promote the propagation 

and exchange of technical knowledge in Petroleum 

Exploration and Production for the overall benefit of 

the oil and gas industry. All these culminate to inspire 

high professional conduct among its membership. 

In its efforts to fulfil its mandate, NAPE works diligently 

to become vital to the careers of its members and the 

industry it serves by providing access to best 

practices, operational experience, lessons learned, 

technological innovations and a peep into the future 

through our diverse platforms and forums such as our 

Annual International Conference & Exhibition (AICE), 

Monthly Technical/Business Meetings, subsidized 

Short Courses, Workshops, University Assistance 

Program, Summer school program, Chapters 

Program, Young Professional Presentation series, 

Student/Post Graduate Scholarships, etc. 

Our Individual and Corporate Members receive a 

unique suite of valuable NAPE membership benefits. 

Which include but not limited to: 

Ÿ Invites to Monthly Technical/Business Meetings 

Ÿ Discount on in-house continuing education 

courses 

Ÿ Discount on NAPE Annual International 

Conference & Exhibition 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Right to publish affiliation with NAPE 

Free subscription to NAPE bulletins and 

newsletters, etc. 

MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION 

Membership of this Association consists of the 

following classifications: 

1. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP 

Ÿ Student Member: Any undergraduate student 

majoring in any of the geosciences or petroleum 

related sciences at a tertiary institution of an 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

acceptable academic standard. The duration of 

such student membership shall not exceed six 

years. 

Associate Member: Any person not qualified for 

any other class of membership who is a graduate 

of an educational institution of acceptable 

academic standard with major studies related to 

or generally associated with geosciences or 

petroleum related sciences. 

Active Member: Any graduate with a major in any 

o f t h e g e o s c i e n c e s o r p e t r o l e u m 

related sciences from an educational institution of 

an acceptable standard. Prospective Member 

may be engaged in or a graduate student in 

geosciences or petroleum-related sciences/ 

exploration/exploitation or currently unemployed 

but maintains adequate affinity with the 

profession and activities of the Association. 

2. CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP 

Any Company or institution registered in Nigeria or 

elsewhere and engaged in the practice or teaching of 

petroleum exploration, exploitation or research 

activities either as an operator, service company, 

training or financial institution may apply for Corporate 

Membership. Such a Company shall not have less 

than five (5) employees. 

Other special membership status includes 

Emeritus: When an Active Member in good standing 

in the Association, with all dues paid to date attains the 

age of seventy (70) years and shall have been an 

Active Member of the Association for at least thirty 

(30) years he shall become an Emeritus Member of 

this Association upon advising the Head of 

Administration of the NAPE Secretariat that he has 

passed his seventieth (70th) birthday, and by 

requesting such classification of his membership. 

Thereafter upon confirmation in writing by the 

Executive Committee, he shall be excluded from 

membership dues and will qualify for all the rights and 

privileges of membership of the Association. 

Young Professionals: A Graduate with a major in 

any of the geosciences or petroleum related sciences 

with 0-10 years post university experience and less 

than 35 years of age 

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS 

The Annual Membership fees for 2022 are as follows: 

Individual 

Membership 

Corporate 

Membership 

Further enquiries can be directed to the NAPE Membership Officer, see contact details; 

Abieyuwa Ogbebor; 

Technical - Membership Officer 

Tel: +234 (0)8030432784, +234 (0)9092143198 

Email: abieyuwa.o@nape.org.ng 

Application 

Fee ( N) 

Registration 

Fee ( N) 

Student 2,000 

Associate 1,000 

3,000 

12,000 

Active 

1,000 

3,000 

12,000 

10,000 

NAPE AWARDS 

Fellows: The NAPE Fellowship Award honor NAPE 

members who have distinguished themselves by their 

long-term service and commitment to advancing the 

science, practice and profession of petroleum 

geology and to the Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists (NAPE). 

Aret Adams: This Award is named in honour of the 

Late Chief Aretanekhai (Aret) Godwin Adams and his 

commitment to excellence, is the highest award 

bestowed by NAPE. It is given to deserving Earth 

Scientists of any nationality, in recognition of 

distinguished and outstanding contributions to, or 

achievements in the sciences and practice of 

petroleum exploration and exploitation in Nigeria for a 

continuous period of 15 years or more. 

Honorary Members: This Award honors nonmembers 

who by their profession, position/office, 

career or business have had a significant and 

positive, impact on the affairs of NAPE and the 

Nigerian Oil & Gas industry at large. He or she does 

not have to be a professional in the Oil & Gas industry. 

Ben Osuno: The NAPE Ben Osuno Pioneering 

Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates 

excellence and outstanding contributions by 

individuals or groups in pioneering activities in the 

field of the earth sciences in general and the Nigerian 

Oil and Gas industry. 

Young Professionals: The NAPE Outstanding YP 

Service Award honor NAPE members who are under 

the age of 35 and have distinguished themselves by 

their long-term service and commitment to advancing 

the science, practice and profession of petroleum 

geoscience and NAPE. 

More details available in the NAPE constitution: 

Please pay membership dues to: 

United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC. 

Account No: 1005158666 

Account Name: Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists 

30,000 

Annual Dues ( N) 

50,000 


NEW MEMBERSHIP LIST 

JUNE 2022 - SEPTEMBER 2022 

NEW ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP 

NEW STUDENT MEMBERSHIP 

MEMBERSHIP 

STATUS 

NAME 

(SURNAME FIRST) 

MEMBERSHIP 

STATUS 

NAME 

(SURNAME FIRST) 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

ACTIVE 

Cliff-Ekubo Woyinpreye Cathy 

Maduakor Edmund Chidubem 

Imuzeze Omomere 

Ukpong Idara michael 

Ekundayo Ropo Ibrahim 

Adeniran Ayodeji James 

ELISHA JAMES AKINOLA 

Ekom Joseph Clement 

Oyegwa Akomeno 

Gbadegesin Hammed Sijuade 

Akintoye Nwakaego 

Achukwu-Ononye Onyema Uchenna 

Giwa Aisha Abisola 

Idehen Igbinigie Philip 

STUDENT Ogunkunle Oluwaferanmi Elisha 

STUDENT Lawal Rumeizah Oyinade 

STUDENT Salawu Kehinde Robiah 

STUDENT Ajasa Sheriff Olatunji 

STUDENT Awolaja Mary Anumofe 

STUDENT Ajumobi Olashile Balqees 

STUDENT Shittu Roheemat Ikeoluwa 

STUDENT Adeapin Oyindamola Precious 

STUDENT ATOKI ANUOLUWAPO BLESSING 

STUDENT Oluwagbenga Joshua Prince 

STUDENT Fadeyi Kehinde Samso 

STUDENT Akpan Victor 

STUDENT Olapade Moses Oladayo 

STUDENT Joseph-Odebunmi Joshua Olaleke 

STUDENT Chukwuemeka Hapuruchukwu Doreen 

STUDENT Agunbiade Tolugbemi Osinachi 

STUDENT Olaitan Oluwasemilore Daniel 

STUDENT Olufemi Oluwatobiloba Christiana 

STUDENT Osinaya Temitayo Augustine 

STUDENT EGO UDUOGHENE CYRUS 

STUDENT Ezealuma Nneoma Anne 

STUDENT Olulade Timilehin Emmanuel 

STUDENT Odewale Paul Oluwaloni 

STUDENT Ismail Aminullahi Olamide 

STUDENT Olaleye Idayat Eniola 


NIGERIAN OIL & GAS 

INDUSTRY REPORT 

A REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES IN THE 

NIGERIAN OIL & GAS SPACE 

COURTESY AFRICAN OIL + GAS REPORT 

WAEL SAWAN TAKES HOLD AT 

SHELL, AS BEN VAN BEURDEN 

STEPS DOWN 

UK oil major Shell has announced that 

Ben van Beurden will step down as 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the 

end of 2022, and that his successor will 

be Wael Sawan. 

Sawan's appointment is effective 

January 1, 2023, when he will also join 

Shell's Board of Directors. 

Ben van Beurden will continue working 

as adviser to the Board until June 30, 

2023, after which he will leave the 

group. 

The incoming CEO is currently the 

Director Integrated Gas, Renewables 

and Energy Solutions, and was 

previously the Director Upstream. He is 

based in The Hague and has been a 

m e m b e r o f S h e l l ' s E x e c u t i v e 

Committee (EC) for three years. Prior to 

joining EC, he was the Executive Vice 

President Deepwater and a member of 

the Upstream Leadership Team, and 

Executive Vice President Qatar and a 

member of the Integrated Gas 

Leadership Team. 

"Ben can look back with great pride on 

an extraordinary 39-year Shell career 

culminating in nine years as an 

exceptional CEO.", says Andrew 

Mackenzie, the company's nonexecutive 

Chairman, "During the last 

decade, he has been in the vanguard for 

the transition of Shell to a net-zero 

emissions energy business by 2050 

and has become a leading industry 

voice on some of the most important 

issues affecting society He leaves a 

financially strong and profitable 

company with a robust balance sheet, 

very strong cash generation capability 

and a compelling set of options for 

growth. These were all enabled by bold 

moves he has led, including the 2016 

a c q u i s i t i o n o f B G a n d t h e 

transformational $30Billion divestment 

of non-core assets that followed. He 

took firm, decisive action to marshal the 

company through the global pandemic, 

seizing the opportunity for a major reset 

to ensure we emerged fitter, stronger 

and equipped to succeed in the energy 

transition. Powering Progress, Shell's 

detailed strategy to accelerate our 

profitable transition to a net zero 

emissions energy business by 2050, 

was unveiled in February 2021 and was 

quickly followed by moves to simplify 

both our organisational and share 

structures. Ben's legacy will frame 

Shell's success for decades to come.” 

WAEL SAWAN HAS WORKED IN 

EUROPE, Africa, Asia and the Americas 

during his 25-year Shell career, and has 

also held roles in Downstream Retail, 

and in various commercial and New 

Business Development projects. Wael 

was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and is a 

dual Lebanese-Canadian national. He 

grew up in Dubai and holds a Master's 

degree in Chemical Engineering from 

McGill University in Montreal and an 

MBA from Harvard Business School. He 

is married to Nicole and they have three 

sons. 

CHEVRON APPOINTS NIGERIAN 

ENGINEER AS CEO OF ITS CHINA 

BUSINESS UNIT 

American oil major Chevron Corp. has 

appointed Segun Kuteyi as Managing 

Director at Chevron China Business 

Unit. 

He will lead Chevron's value chain 

business strategies in the world's 

second largest economy. 

As the President of Chevron China 

Energy Company (CCEC) Pte. Ltd. and 

Unocal East China Sea Ltd (UECSL), 

Kuteyi will navigate the company's 

partnerships with all stakeholders in the 

south east Asian country. 

UECSL has a contract with China 

National Petroleum Corporation 

(CNPC) for natural gas development 

and production in Chuandongbei Block 

in the Sichuan Basin in southwestern 

China. CCEC works with partners to 

develop offshore energy resources in 

the South China Sea and in Bohai Bay 

"Operating under Chevron (China) 

Investment Co., Ltd and Chevron Hong 

Kong Limited, ChevronR and Caltex® 

brands have become an established 

marketer of lubricants and fuels 

products in China", the company says 

on its website. Kuteyi will have oversight 

of these portfolios. 

A 1 9 9 3 g r a d u a t e o f C h e m i c a l 

Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo 

University in Nigeria's south west, 

Kuteyi has had executive education at 

Rice University, Harvard Law School 

and SMU Cox School of Business. 

He joined Chevron as a process 

engineer on the Escravos Gas Plant 

(EGP) in 1996, He has moved up the 

r u n g s i n r o l e s w i t h i n c r e a s i n g 

responsibility across the value chain, 

including stints in Facilities/Project 

engineering, Terminal engineering, 

Asset Management. Strategy & 

Business Planning, Downstream Gas 

Operations and Pipeline & Power. 







Kuteyi's career breakthrough came in 

2011, with the promotion to Project 

Manager for EGP3B, a crucial position 

that superintends Chevron Nigeria's 

600Million standard cubic feet per day 

capacity plant, in which a significant 

fraction of gas delivered in Nigeria's 

domestic market is processed. Kuteyi is 

going to China from Houston, Texas, 

where he was part of the Chevron 

Pipeline & Power team. 

SEPLAT/EXXONMOBIL D EAL: 

INTRA GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SPAT 

PROJECTS POOR OPTICS FOR 

INVESTMENT 

The public exhibition of disagreement 

between various agencies of the 

N i g e r i a n g o v e r n m e n t o v e r t h e 

ExxonMobil/Seplat Energy share 

acquisition reinforces a troubling image 

for the country's investment climate. 

In the space of three hours, three press 

releases had gone out to the media, two 

of them declaring that ministerial 

consent had been granted and one 

clearly saying 'no' with some ambiguity. 

In the afternoon of August 8, 2022, a 

press statement by the media aide to 

P r e s i d e n t M u h a m m a d u B u h a r i 

declared that the president, as Minister 

o f P e t r o l e u m R e s o u r c e s , h a d 

"consented to the acquisition of 

ExxonMobil shares in the United States 

of America by Seplat Energy Offshore 

Limited". 

That statement, coming from the office 

of the highest office in the land, seemed 

so sacrosanct that industry watchers 

were declaring victory for orderly exit of 

International Oil Companies from the 

Nigerian E&P sector. 

A ministerial consent for E&P asset 

sale, delivered in six months, would be 

one of the fastest in Nigeria's recent 

history. 

The content of the statement from the 

Presidency was the core material in the 

news stories by global news agencies 

Bloomberg and Reuters. 

Seplat Energy's external affairs 

directorate corroborated the Presidency 

statement, but in what must be seen as 

an important data point, the company's 

statement declared it had received "a 

letter from the Honourable Minister of 

State for Petroleum Resources notifying 

Seplat Energy that His Excellency, 

President Muhammadu Buhari has 

graciously approved that Ministerial 

Consent be granted to Seplat Energy 

Offshore Limited's cash acquisition of 

the entire share capital of Mobil 

Producing Nigeria Unlimited from its 

shareholders, Mobil Development 

Nigeria Inc and Mobil Exploration 

Nigeria Inc, being entities of Exxon 

Mobil Corporation registered in 

Delaware, USA (ExxonMobil). There 

had been a statement from the 

presidency and a letter from the Minister 

of State for Petroleum. 

But just about the close of business, the 

N i g e r i a n U p s t r e a m P e t r o l e u m 

Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) sent 

o u t a s t a t e m e n t t h a t a t o n c e 

contradicted those from the Presidency 

and the Minister of State but left open, 

doubts as to the conclusion of the 

transaction. "The Chief Executive of the 

NUPRC Engr. Gbenga Komolafe 

clarified that the Commission in line with 

the provisions of the Petroleum Industry 

Act 2021 is the sole regulator in dealing 

with such matters in the Nigerian 

upstream sector", the Commission 

stated, adding, "the issue at stake is 

purely a regulatory matter and the 

Commission had earlier communicated 

the decline of Ministerial assent to 

ExxonMobil in this regard. As such the 

Commission further affirms that the 

status quo remains".. 

Even as the Commission talked of 

commitment "to ensuring predictable 

and conducive regulatory environment 

at all times in the Nigerian upstream 

sector", it is hard for anyone to read its 

statement, check with the others, and 

conclude that this is a "predictable 

regulatory environment". 

PANORO FINALLY EXITS NIGERIA 

Three years after it first announced a 

deal to sell all its Nigerian assets, 

Panoro ASA has finally got it done. The 

Norwegian minnow has completed the 

sale of its fully owned subsidiaries Pan- 

Petroleum Services Holdings BV and 

Pan-Petroleum Nigeria Holding BV to 

PetroNor E&P ASA for an upfront 

consideration of $10Million plus a 

contingent consideration of up to 

$16.67 Million based on future gas 

production volumes. 

The Divested Subsidiaries hold 100% of 

the shares in Pan-Petroleum Aje 

Limited ("Pan Aje"), which participates 

in the exploration for and production of 

hydrocarbons in Nigeria and holds a 

6.502% participating interest, with a 

16.255% cost bearing interest, 

representing an economic interest of 

12.1913% in Offshore Mining Lease no. 

113 (OML 113). Following completion of 

the Transaction Panoro has no 

operational presence remaining in 

Nigeria. 

"The upfront consideration of $10Million 

is expected to the paid within fifteen 







business days via the allotment and 

issue of 96,577,537 new PetroNor 

shares", the company explains in a 

release. "The volume of PetroNor 

shares issued to Panoro has been 

determined with reference to the 

contractually determined 30-day 

volume weighted average price (VWAP) 

of PetroNor's shares which are listed on 

the Oslo Børs with the Ticker "PNOR”. 

Once the Consideration Shares are 

issued and received, Panoro will 

implement steps to distribute these new 

P e t r o N o r s h a r e s t o P a n o r o 

shareholders as a dividend in specie. 

Panoro will communicate separately in 

due course the timetable for this 

process and key dates 

Following receipt of the Consideration 

Shares, Panoro will temporarily hold a 

6.78% shareholding with voting rights in 

PetroNor, until such Consideration 

Shares are distributed in specie to 

Panoro shareholders. 

37 ENTITIES GET LICENCES TO 

START OPERATING MARGINAL 

FIELDS IN NIGERIA 

Nigeria has awarded Petroleum 

Prospecting Licences (PPLs) for 37 

undeveloped discoveries (aka marginal 

fields) in the country's prolific Niger 

Delta Basin. 

At a glittering ceremony witnessed by 

over 300 guests in Abuja, the country's 

political capital, 37 of the 57 oil and gas 

fields offered in a bid round launched 

two years ago were issued with the 

PPLs, having satisfied all conditions for 

award. 

As of the date of the ceremony on June 

28, 2022, 41 fields had been fully paid 

for, but four of those fields are having 

one challenge or the other in terms of 

partner relationships for the fields' 

development. 

Each of the 57 fields on offer was 

provisionally awarded to more than one 

company and each group of "potential 

awardees" were meant to set up a 

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), some 

incorporated joint venture (IJV) that will 

then operate the fields. 

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum 

Regulatory Commission NUPRC, which 

is superintending the award exercise, 

has said that those who had not paid 

signature bonus as of February 2022 

were deemed to have been disqualified. 

As 41 fields have been duly paid for, 

there are 16 fields that are still open, in 

varying degrees, for awards. 

Timipre Sylva, Nigeria's Minister of 

State for Petroleum, gushed with pride 

as he spoke at the ceremony. "The 

implementation of the Petroleum 

Industry Act (PIA 2021) is in top gear, he 

d e c l a r e d , r e f e r e n c i n g t h e n e w 

petroleum regulation that governs the 

industry. "Consequently, the new 

awardees should note that their assets 

will be fully governed by the provisions 

of the PIA 2021". 

Mr. Sylva told the awardees to ensure 

that good oilfield practice is employed, 

environmental considerations and 

community stakeholders' management 

are not neglected", as they develop their 

assets. "It is my strong belief that the 

awardees would take advantage of the 

current attractive oil prices to bring 

these fields into full production within a 

short period to increase production, 

grow reserves and reduce cost of 

production. 


Nigerian Geoscience Education: The impact 

of ASUU Strikes and Data Accessibility for 

Research and Development 

A common feature in the Nigerian Universities' ecosystem are recurring strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities 

(ASUU) and the challenge of access to data for geoscience students to carry out research. 

ASUU strikes date back to 1973 under the umbrella of the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT) (Figure 1). The 

formation of ASUU from NAUT five years later (in 1978), still didn't bring a halt to the strike actions as the newly created union also 

embarked on a nationwide strike in 1980. 

As a result of the strike action in 1988 by the union to obtain fair wages and university autonomy, ASUU was proscribed on 7th of 

August 1988 with all of its property seized. It was allowed to resume in 1990, but was banned after another strike action on 23rd of 

August 1992. 

All of these were resolved on 3rd of September 1992, when an agreement that met several of the union's demands including the right 

of workers to collective bargaining was reached. 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Some students on graduation and after completing the 

mandatory national youth service scheme ended up not 

meeting prospective employers' entry age criterion. 

Possibility of some students engaging in delinquent 

activities by being idle during the period of the strike 

action. 

Risk of loss of life or injury in the course of violence that 

may ensue during protests for or against the strike 

actions by students or during the intervention of security 

agencies. 

Another common challenge faced by geoscience students in 

Nigerian universities is the bottleneck faced with accessing 

industry data to aid academic research or unavailability of these 

data, which may sometimes result in the data not being 

accessible to students for the intended research purpose. 

The importance or relevance of geoscientific data for research 

by geoscience students cannot be overemphasized. In addition 

to the conventional studies and interpretation of specific regions 

of the earth that can be carried out with this dataset, they can 

also be applied in training, machine learning/artificial 

intelligence algorithms or models for improvement of these 

models, hence, resulting in the advancement of geoscience 

studies in Nigeria. 

Figure 1. Calendar of ASUU strikes since inception till 2020. 

The various strike actions embarked on by the union have been 

due to the Federal Government's refusal to uphold their part of 

the agreement reached and signed by both parties. This has left 

students of the concerned universities on the receiving end of 

the tussle between the federal government and ASUU, 

resulting in and not limited to these; 

Ÿ Period of hiatus in the schools' calendar until the strikes 

were called off. 

Ÿ 

Extension of years of study for students. 

For oil and gas industry related data (which has the most 

structured data repository in the country), the issue lies with the 

processes involved in making these data available to the 

students; whereas, other geoscience related fields (such as 

hydrogeology, geochemistry, petrology, marine geology, etc.) 

suffer from lack of a structured data repository to make these 

data available for geoscience studies and advancement. 

Hence, it is important that structured data repositories in the 

various fields of geoscience are put in place, as well as debottle 

necking the process of making these data available to students 

and academics for research and development purpose. 


NAPE Technical Team Review 

On ‘Natural Gas- induced 

Fire Outbreak’ At 

Caritas University 

INTRODUCTION 

This report is based on site observation and rst-hand information from the Deputy Vice Chancellor(DVC) 

of Caritas University, Enugu. 

The natural gas-induced re incident occurre data water borehole drilling site at Caritas University, Amorji 

Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State. 

The Natural Gas-induced Fire Incident started on Wednesday, 25th of May, 2022 and the re has been 

on till the time of this report - June 02, 2022. 

Based on the pre-drilling geophysical survey for Water Borehole at Caritas University, the contractor 

was expected to drill to a depth of 350m. 

Drilling Site 

Location Map of Caritas University, Enugu, Nigeria 

La tude N 06° 30 I 27 II ; 

Longitude E 007° 34 I 59 II, 

The borehole drilling actually progressed from the 

surface but at the depth of 290m (approx. 1,000 ft), an 

artesian reservoir was encountered which led to the 

outow of water under pressure. 

In like manner, the drillers suspected natural gas 

(based on the odour) owing out along with the water. 

Environmental 

Impact and 

Mitigation 

The re incident was triggered by an individual on site 

who tried to conrm the natural gas by igniting it. As a 

result, the individual sustained injury (face burnt, etc.) 

and was hospitalized. 

At the borehole site, it was observed that highpressured 

steam (water) was gushing out on one side 

of the borehole while gas re was blazing from the 

same hole. 

Several government agencies, professional Bodies and 

the state governor have visited the site of the incident. 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

S e v e r a l a t t e m p t s 

have been made by 

s o m e e m e r g e n c y 

m a n a g e m e n t 

personnel to extinguish the Fire and clear the Site. 

Some emergency measures carried out include the deploy 

ment of Federal and State Fire service men to extinguish the 

burning flame but they could not arrest the situation. 

A bull dozer was also brought in to clear the site for easy 

access. 


LIMITATIONS 

There were no measures on the rig site to 

handle a case of natural gas outow and no kill 

mud or facility for well control. 

The entire drilling string was pulled out of hole 

and the rig moved from the borehole location. 

There was no possibility to run in hole, with the 

heavy gas thrust due to overpressure. 

No ditch-cutting sample or uid sample has 

been provided for laboratory tests 

Inferences were based on the knowledge of 

the Regional Geology of the underlying 

formations in Enugu and it environs. 

Subsurface Geology of the Area 

From the geometry of the basin, the wellbore is located at the eastern flank, penetrating through thin packages of 

the Campanian and Pre-Santonian Sediments. 

Correlation of the Wells in the Environs 

(A er Onuoha and Dim, 2017) 

The interval of occurrence of the Natural gas at Caritas University is correlatable with that of Anambra River-1 that shows 

hydrocarbon presence at depth1, 200m and could be matched with near by Amansiodo-1 well. 

Correlation of the Wells in the Environs 

Therefore, the well penetrated the basal part of the 

Anambra Basin and probably part of the upper Agwu 

Formation in the Southern Benue Trough. 

A er Onuoha and Dim, 2017 


Possible location of Caritas 

University Well Bore 

(A er Onuoha and Dim, 2017) 

Conceptual Depositional Model/Schematic Cross-section 

MITIGATION: Short-term 

Short term (3 days to 1 Week): 

Construction of a temporarily gas diverter, with a shut-in valve 

leading to a gas-lift hose. 

Once shut-in only for seconds, the ame will go out without oxygen, 

then the valve is immediately opened before gas build-up, then 

vented or tapped by mobile gas tankers. This can be constructed in 

Enugu 

Note that the increasing height of gas ow (as would be simulated 

in a well test, suggest increased downhole connectivity / 

overpressure and relatively major source) 

MITIGATION: Middle-term 

Middle-term (2 Week to 1 month): 

If the situation does not abate after 1 Week 

Quick Shallow Seismic acquisition and Processing (approximately 1000m depth) 

extending further away to look ahead laterally and vertically, to verify the structure and 

source of leak, which is possibly: Shallow Gas Pocket, Fractured/Coal Seam Methane, 

or Reservoir Gas. 

The type of gas (most likely methane) was not ascertained before the ame, and may 

be ascertained after ame is controlled using the diverter. 

Note that the increasing radius of ow gives an inference in the nature of the upper 

layer, suggesting weak upper cover and forced shut-in may lead to more problems. 

Measures currently being used, such as re service water hose, sand ll, etc., will not 

extinguish the re. 

Disclaimer: This is a quick look based on notes taken at site and reported as an initial mitigation proposal in the emergency. 

Orientations, azimuth and dips were estimated for situating an offset relief well, and benchmarks used. 


MITIGATION: Short-, Middle- and Long-term 

The afore-mentioned suggestions are 

emergency assistance measures, which 

may be carried out in close consultation 

with the stakeholders viz:- government 

regulatory bodies, relevant industries and 

local authorities. 

Summary 

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 25 th of May, 2022 at a water borehole drilling site at Caritas 

University, Amorji Nike, Enugu, East Local Government Area Enugu State At the depth of 290m (approx. 

1,000 ft), an artesian reservoir was encountered which led to the outow of water under pressure. 

The re incident was triggered by an individual on site who tried to conrm the natural gas by igniting it. 

Hence, the incident is a case of Natural Gas-Induced Fire outbreak associated with high pressure 

artesian water outow from a water borehole. 

The geometry of the basin indicated that the wellbore is located at the eastern ank and penetrated 

thin packages of the Campanian and Pre-Santonian Sediments. Hence, the well penetrated the basal 

part of the Anambra Basin and probably penetrated the Upper Part of the Agwu Formation in the 

Southern Benue Trough. 

The natural gas could be from either of the following sources: Shallow Gas Pocket, Fractured/Coal 

Seam Methane or Reservoir Gas at the boundary of the Southern Benue Trough and Anambra Basin. 

In retrospect, unveried information has it that similar occurrence was recorded many years ago while 

drilling in search for petroleum at the agricultural settlement in Ugwuoba, Enugu State. The blowout 

lasted for about three months but the well was corked and the blazing ame was eventually stopped. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

NAPE Awka-Owerri Chapter for the data capture and onsite report. 

NAPE Editorial Board/Technical Committee for the technical inputs 

and support 

NAPE for the opportunity to carry out this investigation. 

The management of Caritas University, Amorji Nike, Enugu State for 

the access to the site and rst-hand information. 

. 

NAPE Awka-Owerri Chapter Team: 

Dr. C. I. Princeton Dim 

(AOCC)(Team Lead) 

Prof. A. W. Mode FNAPE, FNMGS 

Dr. Livinus Nosike 

Dr. A. Ifeanyi Oha 

Mr. Okonkwo Ikenna 

Dr. C. G. Okeugo 

Mrs. Ijeoma Umeadi 

Dr. Austin Okonkwo 

NAPE Technical/Editorial 

Committee: 

Dr. Chris Asuquo Jackson 

(Editor-in-Chief) 

Prof. A. Adabanija 

Dr. Adekunle Sofolabo 

Prof. Taok Adedosu 

Mr. Afolabi Fatunmbi 

Dr. Lawrence Fadiya 

Mr. Kola Fabiyi 

Mr. Francis Ezeh 

Prof. O. Adekeye 


African Energy Week collaborate 

with NAPE 

As an official partner for AEW 2022, 

Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists will help drive 

important discussions around how 

Africa can modernize oil and gas 

upstream operations. 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is 

proud to announce that the Nigerian 

A s s o c i a t i o n o f P e t r o l e u m 

Explorationists (NAPE) has become 

an official partner of the African 

Energy Week (AEW) conference and 

exhibition, Africa's premier event for 

the oil and gas sector which will take 

place from 18 – 21 October 2022, in 

Cape Town. 

Representing the largest professional 

association of petroleum geologists, 

geophysicists, Chief Executive 

Officers, consultants and academia in 

Nigeria – one of Africa's largest 

hydrocarbon producers – having 

NAPE as an official partner of the 

continent's biggest energy event is 

critical for shaping discussions around 

current trends, challenges and 

opportunities across both the Nigerian 

and continent's oil and gas upstream 

sector. 

Since its establishment in 1975, NAPE 

has played a critical role in fostering 

interaction between Nigerian, African 

and international oil and gas 

professionals, promoting industry 

growth by sharing and encouraging 

the adoption of best practices, 

business models and standards. With 

Nigeria seeking to increase oil and gas 

production to address domestic 

energy security issues while boosting 

the monetization of hydrocarbons to 

drive GDP and economic growth, 

organizations such as NAPE are 

critical for driving local content 

development and ensuring innovative 

and next-generation end to end 

workflow solutions are implemented to 

optimize operations across the African 

E&P sector. 

In this regard, with targets to increase 

Nigeria's proven gas reserves from 

200 trillion cubic feet (tcf) to 600 tcf for 

domestic utilization and export – as 

the energy transition intensifies and 

the global gas market expands – 

organizations such as NAPE will be 

k e y , u p - s k i l l i n g t h e d o m e s t i c 

workforce and creating a competitive 

market in-country. 

At AEW 2022, NAPE representatives 

will participate in high-level meetings 

and panel discussions to shape 

dialogues around how African 

c o u n t r i e s c a n a c c e l e r a t e 

hydrocarbons exploration and 

production, thereby increasing 

socioeconomic development while 

lifting the over 600 million people 

across the continent out of energy 

poverty. In addition, with global energy 

transition-related policies hindering 

the flow of investments required to 

optimize oil and gas exploration, 

representatives from NAPE are well 

positioned to drive AEW 2022 

discussions around best practices and 

technologies for Africa to attract 

i n v e s t m e n t , m a x i m i z e t h e 

development of hydrocarbons while 

remaining a climate champion. 

“The Chamber is honored to partner 

with NAPE for AEW 2022. With the 

partnership, conversations during the 

event will be centered around 

exploration and production, with 

insight into how African countries can 

improve capacity building and skills 

transfer provided. We believe that 

drilling more oil and gas wells are key 

to ending energy poverty in Africa and 

having modern geosciences and 

practices is vital for addressing 

c h a l l e n g e s a n d k i c k s t a r t i n g 

development. This very narrative will 

be driven at AEW 2022 with the help of 

NAPE,” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive 

Chairman of the AEC. 

Under the theme, 'Exploring and 

Investing in Africa's Energy Future 

w h i l e D r i v i n g a n E n a b l i n g 

Environment,' AEW 2022 will host 

NAPE representatives in various 

forums and keynote sessions on how 

Africa can modernize its oil and gas 

workforce whilst ensuring gender 

diversity and inclusivity. As an official 

partner of AEW 2022, NAPE will 

shape powerful discussions around 

local content development across 

Africa's oil and gas sector as well as 

effective technical approaches to 

addressing industry challenges. 

AEW 2022 is the AEC's annual 

conference, exhibition and networking 

event. AEW 2022 unites African 

energy stakeholders with investors 

and international partners to drive 

industry growth and development and 

promote Africa as the destination for 

e n e r g y i n v e s t m e n t s . K e y 

organizations such as the African 

Petroleum Producers Organization, 

as well as African heavyweights 

including Equatorial Guinea and 

Nigeria, have partnered with AEW, 

strengthening the role the event will 

play in Africa's energy future. 

To know more about this conference, 

click link below 

https://aecweek.com/ 


Interview 

Dr. Christopher Asuquo 

Jackson 

Editor-in-chief 

1. What publications are run under the 

auspices of the Editor in Chief? 

Answer: 

The Editor-in-Chief (EiC) has general 

supervision and final authority on soliciting, 

accepting, and rejecting all material on 

technical subjects for publication in the 

Bulletin or in special publications. As a 

result, the publications under the auspices 

of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists (NAPE) Editor-in-Chief 

include but not limited to the following: - 

Ÿ NAPE Bulletin – two editions each year 

(First Edition in April and Second Edition 

in November). 

Ÿ NAPE Petroleum Business Bulletin - 

one Edition yearly. 

Ÿ NAPE Annual International Conference 

and Exhibition (AICE) Book of Abstracts 

and Conference Proceedings – during 

NAPE AICE in November. 

Ÿ NAPE Field Trip Handbook/Guide –one 

edition yearly. 

2. In your role as EIC, you must review a 

plethora of articles, papers, and 

abstracts. How would you assess the 

quality of these presentations and what 

kind of Papers would you like to consider 

for NAPE Publications? 

Answer: - 

NAPE memberships cut across Industries 

and the Academia. Therefore, NAPE values 

knowledge sharing of technical works and 

finding from the Energy industry (upstream 

oil and gas sector) as well as academic 

research from institutions of higher learning 

globally. 

Given the wide range of professional 

backgrounds and experiences that NAPE 

members possess, industry-based 

professionals frequently submit and present 

very high-quality technical works in the 

fields of geoscience (geology and 

geophysics - G&G), data acquisition, 

processing, and interpretation, integration, 

and application, as well as research from the 

academic world (Professors, Readers, PhD 

holders, post-graduate students, and final 

year student projects). 

To guarantee that only papers of the highest 

caliber are accepted for technical 

presentation and subsequent NAPE 

publications, the Editorial Board/Technical 

Programme Committee Chaired by the 

NAPE Editor-in-Chief is charged with the 

duties of calling for abstracts and papers, 

peer review, evaluation and selection, 

plagiarism check, and backend QA/QC of 

these technical works. Based thereon, the 

Technical/Business 

Bulle n 

Subcommi ee 

Indexing/IT 

Subcommi ee 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

(Chairman) 

Dr. Christopher Asuquo Jackson 

Assistant Editor-in-Chief 


Oral 

Presenta on 

Subcommi ee 

kinds of papers I'd like to consider for 

NAPE Publications before going through 

the scrutiny must include or demonstrate the 

following key elements: a brief, concise and 

well-structured abstract with keywords, 

introductions, materials and methods, 

results, discussions, and applications, 

S u m m a r y a n d c o n c l u s i o n s , 

recommendations, acknowledgements, and 

references. In the same vein, abstracts and 

papers are assessed during the peer-review 

process based on the logical flow of the 

technical content, the uniqueness/novelty of 

the study, and relevance to the industry. 

3. Innovation and research are often 

essential to achieving organizational and 

economic growth. Can you highlight 

some of the innovative products, 

processes, or services you have 

introduced as EIC? 

Answer: - 

In the course of my tenure as EiC, I 

s u s t a i n e d d e l i v e r y o n t h e u s u a l 

c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d c o n v e n t i o n a l 

responsibilities of the EB-TP Committee 

which includes the following: 

Ÿ Timely Call for Abstracts and peerreview 

of submitted abstracts / papers 

for technical sessions at NAPE AICE 

(conference). 

Ÿ Issuance of Acceptance letters to 

technical paper presenters as well as 

Letters of Invitation to judges and 

NAPE TECHNICAL PROGRAM 

Poster 

Presenta on 

Subcommi ee 

Short 

Courses/Summer 

School 

Subcommi ee 

Field Trip 

Subcommi ee 

Figure 1: NAPE Editorial Board / Technical Programme (EB-TP) Committee Structure 


In like manner, state-of-the-artinnovations 

introduced include but not limited to the 

following: 

Ÿ A yearly Gantt Chart to track timely 

delivery of our set goals. 

Ÿ Current trends in NAPE Conference 

technical presentations include: 

Ÿ 

§ Sustaining the use of oral 

presentation timer software while 

addressing any associated 

c h a l l e n g e s t h a t m a y a r i s e 

proactively. 

§ The transition from analogue 

poster presentation to digital 

electronic Poster presentation on 

wideTV screens 

§ Introduction of a Standard 

template (Design) for both oral and 

poster presentations 

§ D e v e l o p e d a T e c h n i c a l 

Programme Application (App on 

Windows, Android, and iOS 

devices) that will allow for easy 

access to conference activities per 

time. This was discontinued and 

migrated to the Virtual Conference 

Platform during the Covid-19 

pandemic 

§ Upload of the Book of Abstracts 

and other conference activitiesto 

the NAPE AICE App but also print 

out some hard copies of the Book 

of Abstracts 

§ Set up of NAPE YP IT Support 

team for assistance during NAPE 

AICE. 

§ Selection of best papers and 

poster for Technical Awards and 

subsequent publication 

The use of emerging technologies in the 

21st century (Zoom App) to carry out 

parallel Technical Sessions successfully 

and seamlessly in the fully virtual NAPE 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

A I C E 2 0 2 0 ( d u r i n g t h e C o v i d - 1 9 

pandemic lockdown) - a feat that initially 

appeared impossible but was later 

executed successfully with applause and 

commendation. 

Acquisition of a new, authentic and 

verifiable ISSN for NAPE Bulletin. 

Developed the NAPE Plagiarism Policy 

for protection of data confidentiality, 

intellectual property, and code of practice 

for disciplining defaulters. 

Update of the NAPE Editorial Policy that 

provides for the standard, format and 

structure of NAPE Bulletin and its 

contents 

QA/QC of the contents of technical 

publications. 

Ÿ Regular publication of NAPE bulletin – 

two editions each year (First Edition in 

April and Second Edition in November); 

NAPE Petroleum Business Bulletin - one 

E d i t i o n y e a r l y ; N A P E A n n u a l 

International Conference and Exhibition 

( A I C E ) B o o k o f A b s t r a c t s a n d 

Conference Proceedings – during NAPE 

AICE in November; NAPE Field Trip 

Handbook/Guide – one edition yearly. 

Ÿ 

A c h i e v e d o n l i n e v i s i b i l i t y a n d 

accessibility for papers published in the 

NAPE Bulletin by uploading them to the 

NAPE Website. 

Ÿ Ensuring the recreation of a functional E- 

Library with online download capabilities 

for the sequential archiving of NAPE 

technical materials and Bulletins. 

Ÿ Engaging with Elsevier SCOPUS for the 

Indexing of NAPE Bulletin in order to 

obtain international impart factor rating. 

Ÿ Ensured best quality print of NAPE 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Bulletins on digitized CTP direct imaging 

Co-ordination of Post-Conference 

technical sessions Evaluation / 

Assessment form for feedback. This was 

discontinued at the advent of the 

M o n i t o r i n g a n d E v a l u a t i o n 

Subcommittee of the NAPE CPC. 

Active participation in the drafting of 

Conference Themes and Subthemes 

with the goal of ensuring the formulation 

of pertinent subthemes that represent the 

main conference theme and will 

accommodate the diverse geoscience 

subject areas. 

4. What has been the most challenging 

part of your role as EIC? 

Answer: - 

In my role as NAPE EiC, I experienced a few 

challenges during the discharge of my 

responsibilities viz: 

I. Time Constraint: The place of effective 

t i m e m a n a g e m e n t c a n n o t b e 

overemphasized in the course of balancing 

my enormous workload as a paid employee 

in my organisation and delivering on my 

responsibilities in the office of the NAPE 

EIC. In order not to allow one to suffer at the 

expense of the other, I had to set deadlines 

ahead of the generally expected time of 

delivery and thereafter put in quality time to 

handle NAPE work at night; then switch to 

my office work in the daytime. Usually, 

several meetings are fixed for engagements 

with the different Technical Subcommittees 

to ensure synergy in the work done; these 

requires hard work, and sacrifice in terms of 

t i m e , e n e r g y a n d r e s o u r c e s . F o r 

effectiveness, we leveraged on the available 

means of technology to hold virtual 

meetings, sharing materials for peer-review 

ahead of every meeting, etc. 

i i . R e s t r u c t u r i n g o f t h e E B - T P 

Committee: Active participation, effective 

performance and accountability of 

committee members was a major concern. 

The plan to change the status quo was 

formally discussed in our meetings and the 

modalities spelt out accordingly. As a result, 

the EB-TP Committee now consists of 

enthusiastic, passionate, and committed 


epresentative professionals drawn from the 

Energy industry and the academia. 

Consequently, performance and results 

have been optimal and impressive. 

iii. Non-optimal Functioning of the NAPE 

E-Library to allow for NAPE Bulletin 

Indexing: This was a major challenge faced 

during my tenure as EiC. Going down 

memory lane, it was advised that NAPE 

Bulletins be moved from the NAPE website 

to NAPE E-Library.However, for a long time, 

the E-Library was not functioning optimally. 

Hence, NAPE Bulletins that have been duly 

published were not accessible to members. 

I had to step-in to engage with the E-Library 

Website developer to ensure that the 

expected deliverables as contained in the 

Award contract were delivered to enable us 

to use the URL of the Bulletins among other 

requirements to conclude the process of 

NAPE Bulletin Indexing. The key delays and 

c h a l l e n g e s i n c l u d e i n e f f e c t i v e 

Cataloguing/Archiving of the Technical 

Contents in the previous NAPE E- 

Library;lack of download option; lack of a 

handle on the NAPE Website home page for 

Article Submission (access/template);lack 

of Editorial Policy, Plagiarism Policy, and 

Reviewers guideline/Template; No handle 

(link) to 'Access Bulletin' on the NAPE 

Website home page. However, the good 

news is that all these numerous challenges 

have been addressed and a new E-Library 

Website has been designed, and upload of 

Bulletins and other resource materials are 

ongoing. Following this E-Library 

breakthrough, the EB-TP Committee has 

reactivated the engagement with Elsevier 

Scopus for the indexing of the NAPE 

Bulletin. The plan is to achieve this feat 

before NAPE AICE 2022. 

5. What are some of the most important 

qualities for an EIC to have? 

Answer: - 

a. Competence / Experience: subject 

matter experts from the industry or 

institutions of higher learning with good 

understanding based on previous 

volunteering or hands-on experience in the 

NAPE Editorial Board or in a similar role. 

This will aid swift decision making, setting of 

SMART Goals, and effective tracking of 

results. 

b. Passion/Diligence: - Given that the 

office of the EiC is a volunteer role, an EiC 

must be a professional with powerful or 

compelling emotion and drive borne out of 

love for technical service to NAPE and 

Editorial responsibilities. 

c. Availability: This is a very important 

quality that is key in selecting an EiC. S/he 

should be someone that has time, will make 

time and be available to carry out the tedious 

responsibilities that the office demands. 

From my experience, no matter how highly 

experienced and passionate a member of 

NAPE may be, if S/he will not have adequate 

time at his or her disposal, then such a 

person is not qualified for the office of NAPE 

Editor-in-Chief. 

d. Human Relations/Human Capital 

Management: The NAPE Editorial 

Board/Technical Programme Committee is 

arguably the largest committee of NAPE in 

terms of membership and direct interface 

with NAPE members. This is a committee 

with membership and volunteers in some 

hundreds of high-profile professionals of 

NAPE viz: captains of the oil and gas 

industries, managers, subject matter 

experts, a great number of professors and 

Doctors drawn from universities studying 

G e o s c i e n c e c o u r s e s l o c a l l y a n d 

internationally. These volunteers serve as 

Editors, Associate Editors, Session Chairs, 

Judges in IT Support/QA/CQ, Short 

Courses/Summer Schools, Field Trip, etc 

Subcommittees. The act of getting people 

together to accomplish desired goals and 

objectives is imperative. As a result, an EiC 

must be very good in human relations, 

e f f e c t i v e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s k i l l s , 

understanding of human psychology and 

human capital management in order to chair 

and manage such high profile individuals, 

delegate responsibilities and action items, 

encourage and motivate, take feedback, 

mutual respect, track results in a timely 

fashion and close out on expected 

deliverables per time; focus on policies, 

structure and systems to drive and 

maximize performance; have the capacity 

to develop talent, deploy talent, and 

generate results. In doing these, the EiC is 

t o u p h o l d a “ N o h a r a s s m e n t o r 

discrimination policy”. This helps in 

succession planning. 

e. Interested in high Standard and 

Quality: NAPE members deserve the best. 

Therefore, an EiC must be tech-savvy with 

high value placed on excellent quality of 

contents, graphic design, and printing. 

f. Result Oriented:- To qualify as NAPE, 

EiC one must have the ability to ensure that 

processes are followed through to 

successful delivery of set goals without 

excuses for failure. 

Dr. Chris Jackson at NAPE AICE 2021 Best Papers 

and Poster Winners 

Dr. Chris Jackson listening to a poster presentation 

at 2021 NAPE Conference 

Dr. Chris Jackson at NAPE/NMGS 2021 Student Confernce 


Interview 


Assistant Editor-in-chief 

association. This support is evident in our 

sojourn in this space, even after three years 

and counting. However, it goes without 

stating the obvious; that this unhackneyed 

resource is yet to have its potentials fully 

harnessed as sponsorship remains the 

bedrock and gap-filler to the technological 

attainment of our set goal of disseminating 

knowledge, expertise and practical field 

skillsets to our dear members and 

associates. 

1. What is the role of the Assistant Editor 

of NAPE? 

As stipulated in the NAPE constitution, the 

role of the 

Assistant Editor of NAPE is tied to the 

following, amongst others: 

I) Coordinating of annual geological field 

trips. 

ii) Active membership and participation 

on the editorial board both for NAPE 

publications – NAPE News, bulletin 

etc. 

iii) Coordinating of technical short 

iv) 

courses and summer schools. 

Assisting role-playing with the Editorin-Chief. 

v) C o m m u t i n g t o r o l e s a n d 

responsibilities as assigned by the 

president and executive committee. 

2. The COVID - 19 pandemic and the 

social distancing protocol necessitated 

the introduction of the concept of Virtual 

Field trips to NAPE's AICE. What were 

the challenges and benefits of adopting 

this innovation? 

The idea of a virtual field was birthed, not 

only to address the global pandemic at the 

time, but to leverage evolving technology, 

especially to assumingly inaccessible 

terrains and to arrest security concerns. As 

novel and futuristic as this was, the passion 

demonstrated by all members of the 

unveiling team was the needed catalyst. 

Nevertheless, as with any change, financial 

constraints continue to have a firm grip on 

this priceless jewel despite the leadership 

attention and support enjoyed by the 

3. How well has the concept of virtual 

field trips been received by members of 

NAPE in particular and the oil and gas 

community in general? 

This year would be our third year, running 

this program and the responses and 

feedback has been enormous. Last year, it 

ranked #1 on the list of top achievements by 

the association, following a survey 

conducted. However, with the potential of 

what this can do for association and the 

world of geology, we think, it could and 

should be given more attention. 

4. Does NAPE possess bespoke or 

requisite technology to carry out virtual 

field trips? 

NAPE is a technical and leading geological 

association not just in Nigeria but the whole 

of Africa. Our association embraces 

evolving technology in almost all facets of its 

dealings. We believe the association has 

what it takes to project this glass-ceiling 

breaking program and we stay hopeful that 

in no distant time, an uprise of its potential 

will be harnessed. 

5. Are you collaborating or considering 

collaborating with other professional 

Associations? 

We have had and continue to have in house 

discussions around this and we stay open to 

such constructive collaborations with other 

professional bodies both within and outside 

the continent. 

6. What would you describe as the 

highlights of your tenure as Assistant 

Editor ? 

Prior to embarking on this journey, l 

understudied the technical and socialnetworking 

needs of the association and 

being an individual with a growth mindset, l 

had envisioned this kickoff, amongst others. 

To make it even better, l was privileged to 

work with the best of teams. This enabled 

the recorded successes to date. Now, if l 

were to pick, l would place the virtual field 

trip, top on my list. Other achievements l feel 

very humbly proud of, were the quarterlyorganized 

technical sessions, summer 

schools, pre-conference short courses, and 

of course, the most-celebrated social event; 

the African Night. 

I feel very honoured to have been given the 

opportunity to serve our great Association 

and as l take a bow… temporary, l would like 

to thank everyone whose path has crossed 

mine in the course of serving. Thank you 

and GOD bless. 


Photo Gallery of Technical/Editorial Activities 


Depositional Evolution and Sequence Stratigraphy of the 

Amasiri Sandstone Member of the Eze-Aku Formation, 

Southern Benue Trough 

Ogechi C. Ekwenye, AyonmaW. Mode, and Ogechukwu A. Moghalu* 

Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria 

Peer Reviewed Technical Article 

ABSTRACT 

Integrated lithofacies and sequence stratigraphic analyses of the Late Cenomanian to Turonian Amasiri Sandstone Member of the Eze- 

Aku Formation in the Southern Benue Trough, was carried out, to decipher the depositional evolution and establish the sequence 

stratigraphic framework. Results from facies analysis reveals 16 facies, which occur in associations that are characteristic of a 

predominantly shallow marine environment. The interpreted sub-environments include shallow offshore, subtidal sandwave, shorefaceforeshore, 

tidal sandridges, fluvial channel, and tide-influenced fluvial channel settings. Parasequence delineation of the facies 

associations reveal retrograding, aggrading, and prograding packages which were deposited during relative sea-level rise and fall. Three 

depositional sequences which document the depositional evolution of the Amasiri Sandstone Member from the Late Cenomanian to 

Turonian, were recognized based on the parasequence stacking patterns. Sequence 1 is an incomplete sequence, comprising of a 

transgressive systems tract, consisting of subtidal sandwave encased in shallow offshore sediments. Sequence 2 is a more complete 

sequence that comprises of fluvial channel and shoreface sediments as the lowstand systems tract, foreshore and tidal sand ridge 

sediments as the highstand systems tract, and offshore sediments as the transgressive systems tract. The third sequence is an also an 

incomplete one with tide-influenced fluvial channel and offshore sediments as the lowstand and transgressive systems tracts respectively. 

Key words: Amasiri Sandstone, palaeodepositional environments, sequence stratigraphy, relative sea level changes. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Amasiri Sandstone, a member of the 

Eze-Aku Formation in the Southern Benue 

Trough (Murat, 1972; Nwachukwu, 1972), 

comprises of mud, sandstone, heterolith 

and limestone facies, whose characteristics 

indicate a range of palaeoenvironmental 

conditions. Previous research on the 

sandstone member has focused on its 

sedimentology with the aim of interpreting 

the palaeodepositional environment(s) 

(Banerjee, 1980;Amajor, 1987; Dim et al., 

2016; Okoro and Igwe, 2014). The 

depositional evolution of the member in 

relation to relative sea-level change is 

however, relatively less studied. In the 

absence of this, the sequence stratigraphy 

of the lithostratigraphic unit is not known. 

Deposited in a predominantly shallow 

marine setting, the facies of the Amasiri 

Sandstone Member are grouped into facies 

a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a t i n d i c a t e 

palaeoenvironments that prevailed during 

periods of transgression and regression. In 

this study, the lithofacies identified within the 

Amasiri Sandstone are subjected to 

analysis with the aim of interpreting the 

evolving palaeoenvironment(s) that 

prevailed as the lithostratigraphic unit was 

being deposited. These environments are 

then linked to eustatic changes and used to 

interpret the sequence stratigraphy of the 

lithostratigraphic unit. 

GEOLOGIC SETTING 

The formation and subsequent deposition in 

the Benue Troughis regarded as Abakaliki- 

Benue tectonic phase (Murat, 1972), which 

is the first of three tectonic phases that 

controlled the evolution of the southern 

Nigeria sedimentary basins and subsequent 

deposition within the basins. The evolution 

of the Benue Trough began with the spread 

of the South Atlantic in the Late Jurassic. 

This sea-floor spread allowed for the 

separation of the Africa and South American 

plates around a triple junction. With the 

complete spread of two arms of the triple 

junction, the third arm failed to spread. This 

failed arm was a transcurrent fault zone that 

runs through the African Plate, forming the 

West and Central African Rift System, which 

opened up a series wrench basins on the 

continent; one of which is the Benue Trough 

(Genik, 1993). The Benue Trough is a linear 

NE-SW trending basin that extends from the 

southern part of the Nigerian sector (Figure 

1) into Cameroun, extending over 1000km. 

The opening of the Benue Trough is 

controlled by a N60°E fault system that 

passes along the axis of the trough (Maurin 

et al., 1986). Upon creation of the basin, 

deposition began with fanglomerates, which 

deposited by activated river streams that 

trended into the basin. The first marine 

sediments, were deposited during the 

Albian. A transgression of the Gulf of Guinea 

deposited the Asu River Group in the 

southern and central Benue Trough. A 

retreat of the South Atlantic from its far 

reaches in the trough allowed for deposition 

of the marginal marine Mfamosing 

Formation in the Calabar Flank by the 

Cenomanian (Akpan, 1990). The Turonian 

saw the deposition of the Eze-Aku 

Formation (Figure 1) during a second 

transgressive phase. This phase also saw 

the subsequent deposition of the Awgu 

Formation during the Coniacian. However, 

the termination of this transgressive phase 

is evidenced in the deposition of regressive 

Agbani and Ogugu Sandstone members. 

Following these in the Santonian was the 

folding and inversion of southern Benue 

Trough. This lead to the formation of the 

Abakaliki Anticlinorium and the beginning of 

the second tectonic phase (Anambra-Benin 

phase). With the uplift of the southern 

Benue Trough, the depo-centre shifted to 

the northwest and southeast of the 

anticlinorium, where the resulting Anambra 

Basin and Afikpo Sub-basins were created 

respectively. Subsequent deposition began 

in the basins with the Nkporo Group during 

the Campanian. This was succeeded by the 

Mamu, Ajali and Nsukka formations, whose 

ages range from Maastrichtian to Danian. 

METHODOLOGY 

The area of focus covers the Amenu, 

Akpoha, Ibi, Ozara-ukwu, Amasiri and 

Afikpo areas, defined by latitudes N 5° 50' 

00'' and N 6° 00' 00''; and longitudes E 7°51' 

00'' and E 8° 00' 00'' (Figure 1). The study 

was carried out using detailed field studies 

within the study area. Field mapping 

involved locating and sedimentological 

logging of outcrop sections. The data 


obtained by sedimentological 

logging include rock type and 

textures, sedimentary structures, 

nature of bedding and contacts, 

attitudes and thicknesses of 

bedding, lateral extents of 

outcrops, as well as ichnofossils 

occurrence, size, degree of 

b i o t u r b a t i o n , e t h o l o g i c a l 

diversity. The data obtained were 

then subjected to facies analysis. 

T h i s a n a l y s i s i n v o l v e d 

identification of lithofacies, which 

w e r e u s e d t o i n t e r p r e t 

p a l a e o d e p o s i t i o n a l 

environments based on their 

a s s o c i a t i o n s . T h e s e 

p a l a e o d e p o s i t i o n a l 

e n v i r o n m e n t s w e r e t h e n 

reconstructed according to their 

order of occurrence in relation to 

relative sea-level changes. 

These reconstructions, that 

showed which environments are 

products of transgression and 

regression, were then used in 

interpreting the sequence 

stratigraphy of the Amasiri 

Sandstone Member. 

Figure 1: Geologic setting of the study area. (A) is a map of Nigeria showing the 

sedimentary basins and basement complex (modified after Obaje, 2009); (B) is 

a geologic map of the study area. 

RESULTS 

LITHOFACIES ANALYSIS 

Facies Descriptions: 

T w e l v e ( 1 2 ) f a c i e s a n d s i x t e e n ( 1 6 ) s u b - f a c i e s w e r e i d e n t i f i e d f r o m t h e s t u d i e d o u t c r o p s e c t i o n s i n 

the study area (Table 1). A summary of the facies well as their descriptions and their interpretations is thus presented (Table 1). 

Table 1: Summary of description and interpretation of lithofacies in the Amasiri Sandstone, Southern Benue Trough, southeastern Nigeria. 

Lithofacies 

and Facies 

code 

Conglomerate 

facies (G) 

Sub-facies 

G1: 

Horizontally 

stratified 

conglomerate 

G2: 

Planar crossstratified 

conglomerate 

G3: massive 

conglomerate 

Textures 

Clast-supported with 

coarse-grained sand matrix; 

poorly sorted; angular to 

subrounded clasts; 

monomictic; clast size 

ranges from granule to 

cobble. 

Clast-supported, very 

coarse-grained sand matrix 

with little clay; 

monomictic, poorly sorted, 

angular to rounded clasts 

Clast-supported, coarsegrained 

sand matrix with 

fair amount of clay; 

polyomictic, poorly sorted, 

angular to subrounded 

clasts 

Sedimentary 

structures 

Horizontally 

bedding 

Planar crossstratification 

Structureless, 

mud flasers 

Ichnology 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Depositional process 

Longitudinal bars, channel 

lag deposit, sieve deposit 

Linguoid bars 

Sediment-gravity flows or 

debris-falls in an environment 

with fluctuations in flow 

strength, which permits the 

transportation of sands in 

ripples followed by low 

energy periods where mud 

drapes the ripples (Boggs, 

2001). 


Planar crossbedded 

sandstone 

facies (Sp) 

Trough crossbedded 

sandstone 

facies (St) 

Herringbone 

crossstratified 

sandstone 

facies (Sxh) 

Sp1: 

Angular-based planar 

cross-bedded 

sandstone facies with 

erosional contacts 

Sp2: 

Muddy fine to 

coarse-grained 

cross-bedded 

sandstone facies 

Sp3: 

Large-scale, angularbased 

planar crossbedded 

sandstone 

facies with mud 

drapes. 

Sp4: 

Medium-grained 

planar cross-bedded 

sandstone with 

angular based toesets 

Sp5: 

Small-scale planar 

cross-bedded 

sandstones with 

asymptotic toesets. 

Sp6: 

Large-scale planar 

cross-beds with 

concave-upward 

toesets. 

- 

- 

Medium to coarse-grained; 

well-sorted. 

Fine to coarse-grained; 

muddy, poor sorting. 


poor sorting 

Medium-grained; poor to 

moderate sorting 


moderately sorted 




poorly sorted 

Fine to medium-grained; 

poor to moderately sorted. 

Non-tangential 

planar cross-beds 

Single set or 

cosets of smallscale 

angular- or 

tangential- based 

cross-beds; mud 

drapes 

Large scale, 

angular-based 

cross-beds, mud 

drapes; mud 

lenses 

Large planar 


angular toesets 

Cosets of planar 


tangential 

toesets. 

Single sets of 

large scale planar 


tangential 

toesets. 

Large-scale 

trough crossbedding 

Herringbone 

crossstratification 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Moderately bioturbated 

by Thalassinoides 

Migration of straight-crested 

dunes during the lower flow 

regime 


dunes with deposition of 

mud-drapes during slack 

water 


dunes with deposition of 

mud-drapes during slack 

water. 

Movement of sediments 

along the slipface of dunes by 

grain fall or avalanche. 

Increasing velocity during the 

migration of straight-crested 

dune 

Movement of sediment along 

the slip surface by flow 

separation and grain fall. 

Migration of lunate or 

sinuous-crested dunes 

Periodic reversals in current 

direction as a result of tidal 

actions. 

Horizontal 

laminated 

sandstone 

facies (Sh) 

Bioturbated 

sandstone 

facies (Sb) 

Structureless 

sandstone 

facies (Sm) 

Sh1: 

Siliceous finegrained 

sandstones 

with horizontal 

laminations 

Sh2: 

Calcareous finegrained 

sandstones 

with horizontal 

laminations. 

Sh3: 

Horizontal bedded 

sandstone facies. 

Sb1: 

Fine-grained 

bioturbated 


Deposition from very highly 

concentrated sediment 

dispersions during sediment- 

gravity flows 

Sb2: 

Medium to coarsegrained 

bioturbated 

sandstone facies. 

Sm1: 

Fine to mediumgrained 

structureless 


Sm2: 

Coarse-grained 

structureless 


Fine-grained, well sorted 

Fine-grained, well sorted 


moderate sorted. 

Fine-grained; moderate to 

well sorted 



Fine to medium-grained, 

poorly to moderately sorted 

Coarse-grained, poorly to 


Horizontal 

laminations 

Horizontal 

laminations 

Horizontal 

laminations 

Relics of planar 

cross beds and 

horizontal 

stratification and 

structureless 

beds 

Structureless 

beds 

Structureless 

beds 

Structureless 

beds 


by Thalassinoides 

Intensely bioturbated 

by Skolithos, 

Planolites, 

Paleophycus and 

Diplocraterion. 

Not observed 

Skolithos, Planolites, 

Paleophycus, 

Chondrites and 

Opiomorpha. 

Thalassinoidesburrows. 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Lamination formation in the 

upper flow regime produced 

by high flow velocity 

Plane/flat bed produced by 

high flow velocity in the 

upper flow regime 

Lower flow-regime flat bed 

produced by decelerating 

current 

Stressful to favourable 

conditions in a marginalmarine 

to shallow marine 

environment 

High energy sedimentation 

Very rapid deposition from 

suspension in sediment-laden 

flows 


Sandy 

heterolith 

facies (Hs) 

Muddy 

heterolith 

facies (Hm) 

Shale facies 

(Fsc) 

Fosiliferrous 

limestone (Lf) 

Dolerite 

facies (D) 

Millimetre to centimetre 

scale intercalations of 

dominant fine-grained 

sands, with silt and mud 

Millimetre scale 

intercalations of dominant 

silt/mud, with very finegrained 

sand 

Grey coloured shale; 

locally mottled 

Limestone made up of 

mineralized brachiopod 

shells. 

Medium-grained 

melanocratic igneous rock 

with vitreous lustre. 

Horizontal 

laminations 

Horizontal 

laminations 

Horizontal 

laminations 

Abundant whole 

and fragmented 

shells of 

brachiopods 

Igneous sill 

Not observed 


by Planolites 

and Paleophycus 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Not observed 

Lateral accreting point bars 

Low or waning energy flow 

condition 

Low energy and oxygendepleted 

conditions 

Deposition in a low-energy 

environment with poor 

winnowing activity ; most 

likely interrupted by 

catastrophic event such as a 

storm 

Emplacement during tectonic 

activity that uplifted the 

southern Benue Trough 

Facies Associations 

Facies Association 1 (FA 1): Shallow 

offshore 

FA 1 is comprised of shale (Fsc) and 

sandy heterolith facies (Hs) (Figure 2A). 

Exposures of FA 1 occur at Amenu, 

Akpoha, Aba-omege, Ozara-ukwu and 

Afikpo. Thickness of exposures range 

from 4m to over 50m. FA 1 occurs as the 

basal and topmost parts of the Amasiri 

Sandstone. 

Facies Association 2 (FA 2): Subtidal 

sandwave 

FA 2 is characterized by large scale planar 

cross-bedded sandstone facies (Sp4), 

with subordinate planar crossbedded 

sandstone facies (Sp1), horizontal 

laminated sandstones facies (Sh1 and 

Sh3), and structureless sandstone facies 

(Sm1 and Sm2) (Figure 2B). FA 2 is 

exposed at Akpoha and extends to Abbaomege. 

Exposures of FA 2 at both 

locations show that it overlies offshore 

deposits (FA 1). Generally coarse-grained 

in texture, the sandstone is poorly to 

moderately-sorted. Outcrops of the 

sandstone occur as extensive sheets of 

sand, with tabular geometry. Estimated 

total thickness of the outcrop is about 

28m. the large-scale crossbeds that 

characterize the outcrop are interpreted 

as tidal sandwaves (Allen, 1980; Stride et 

al., 1982). Their forests dip at angles 

ranging from 4 to 24°. The forsets show a 

gradation in sand size from coarse to fine, 

indicating decreasing peak current 

strength (Stride et al., 1982). The crossbeds 

are unidirectional, indicating a 

south-west paleo flow that ranges 

between 232 and 236 . Tidal sandwaves 

are produced during the lower flow regime 

at near-surface mean spring tidal current 

-1 

speeds of more than 65cms (Stride et al., 

1982; Johnson and Baldwin, 1996). A tidal 

origin is attributed to the sandstone due to 

the presence of mud drapes on the crossbeds 

and reactivation surfaces. A similar 

interpretation has been assigned to the 

lowermost sandstone member of the Imo 

Shale (Ekwenye et al., 2014). 

Facies Association 3 (FA 3): Fluvial 

channel 

FA 3 comprises of conglomerate facies 

(G1 and G2), trough crossbedded 

sandstone facies (St), horizontal 

laminated sandstone facies (Sh1 and 

Sh3), structureless sandstone facies 

(Sm1 and Sm2), and planar crossbedded 

sandstone facies (Sp1) (Figure 3A). FA 3 

is exposed within the premises of the 

Government Technical College, Akpoha. 

Estimated thickness of the outcrop is 

about 11m. A fining-upward motif is 

observed, starting with conglomerate 

facies at the base, through trough 

crossbedded sandstone facies, to 

horizontal laminated sandstone facies 

and structureless sandstone facies (Sh3, 

Sm1 and Sm2). Different parts of the 

outcrop correspond to different fluvial subenvironments. 

G1 and G2 correspond to 

the base of the channel. They are 

interpreted as longitudinal and linguoid 

bars respectively (Miall, 1977; 1978; 

1981). The conglomerate facies are 

stacked into multistory sheets, which are 

likely products of laterally mobile highenergy 

bedload streams Collinson (1996). 

Paleo flow indicators in G2 show a net 

northeast paleocurrent direction. 

St, Sh3, Sm2 and Sp1 make up the 

channel sandbody. This exposure is 

about 2m thick, and is dominated by upper 

part of the lower flow regime (Miall, 1977; 

1978). This crossbedding is similar to that 

of Singh (1972) who referred to them as 

“channel-fill cross-bedding”. He opined 

that trough crossbedding of this scale are 

a result of channels cutting across a levee 

during high-water periods of the river. 

Sh1, Sh3, Sm1, and Sm2 make up the 

floodplain deposits. An initial facies 

succession shows a coarsening upward 

motif interpreted to be a result of the 

formation of levees, which are banks of 

sediments fed by the deposition of coarser 

sediments at the channel edge by the 

rapidly flowing river (Nichols, 2009). 

However, this subsequently changes to a 

fining upward succession, which may 

signify the dissipation of current velocity 

and energy as the flood leaves the 

confines of the channel and spread out 

(Nichols, 2009), or the abandonment of a 

crevasse-splay which is formed by the 

breaching of a levee (Collinson, 1996). 


Facies Association 4 (FA 4): Shorefaceforeshore 

FA 4includessiliceous and calcareous finegrained 

horizontal laminated sandstone 

facies (Sh1 and Sh2), fine to mediumgrained 

structureless sandstone facies 

(Sm1), fine-grained bioturbated sandstone 

lithofacies (Sb1), muddy heterolith 

lithofacies (Hm), and fossiliferrous 

limestones (Lf). Parts of FA 4 are exposed at 

the Amenu and Ibi. These sections will be 

discussed in order of stratigraphic 

occurrence. 

The section of FA 4 at Amenu is exposed at 

the Setraco Quarry, Amenu. The outcrop is 

about 20 m thick and is characterized by 

alternations of fine-grained bioturbated 

sandstone facies (Sb1) and laminated 

muddy heterolith facies (Hm) which overlie 

offshore sediments (FA 1). Both facies are 

bioturbated by trace fossils which include 

Skolithos, Ophiomorpha, and Paleophycus. 

Based on the sedimentology, sedimentary 

structures, ichnology and stratigraphic 

position of the outcrop in relation to other 

parts of FA 4, the outcrop at the Setraco 

Quarry is interpreted to be deposited in the 

offshore-transition zone (Figure 3B). 

Buatois et al. (1999) made similar 

interpretations for a similar succession 

(Facies M) within the Lower Pennsylvanian 

Morrow Sandstone of southwest Kansas, 

USA. 

Another section of FA 4 is exposed at the 

Julius Berger Quarry atIbi. The sandstone 

outcrop, about 4m thick, is dominated by 

very poorly sorted, intensely bioturbated 

sandstones (Sb1). Trace fossil assemblage 

includes ichnofossils from the Skolithosand 

C r u z i a n a i c h n o f a c i e s s u c h a s 

Ophiomorpha, Skolithos, and Planolites. A 

low-energy environment with abundant 

nutrients that favoured benthic organisms is 

suggested due to the intense bioturbation 

that destroyed the physical sedimentary 

structures (Buatois et al., 1999). The 

succession at the Julius Berger Quarry in Ibi 

is interpreted to be the lower shoreface 

section of FA 4 (Figure 3B). Similar 

Figure 2: Offshore and subtidal sandwave facies associations. (A) and (B) are 

representative logs of the offshore and subtidal sandwave facies associations 

in the study area respectively. (C) is an outcrop image of offshore deposits 

along the Asu River at Akpoha. (D) and (E) are outcrop images of at subtidal 

sandwave deposits at Akpoha. 

ichnoassemblages have been described 

from cores of Cretaceous lower to middle shoreface deposits by Raychaudburi and Pemberton (1992), and cores of Facies K of Buatois et 

al. (1999) in the Lower Pennslyvanian Morrow Sandstone. 

Facies interpreted as the upper shoreface of FA 4 (Figure 4A) are observed close to the Amaoha Development Centre, Ibi. The outcrops 

observed are dominated by structureless sandstone facies with subordinate fine-grained bioturbated sandstone facies (Sb1). At the base 

of one of the structureless bed were shells of bivalves. Trace fossil assemblage is dominantly Ophiomorpha, which belong to the 

Skolithosichnofacies. The low occurrence of trace fossils is a feature of upper shoreface sediments (Pemberton et al., 1992; Raychaudburi 

and Pemberton, 1992). 

Further south, the facies assemblage changes to a mixture of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments. Facies that make up this section of FA 

4 include calcareous fine-grained sandstones with horizontal laminations (Sh2), fine-grained bioturbated sandstones (Sb1) and 

subordinate fossiliferrous limestones (Lf).The exposures of these facies in artisan quarries in Ibi and Ozara-ukwu show a succession from 

intensely bioturbated fine-grained sandstones, to horizontal laminated sandstones, which also a contain fossiliferrous limestone bed and 

floating limestone clasts. Identified trace fossils include Gyrolithes, Skolithos, Ophiomorpha, Paleophycustubularis, and 


Planolitesmontanus. The fossiliferrous limestone is made up essentially of mineralised bivalve shells. The abundance of trace and body 

fossils suggest aerobic conditions in the water column in which organisms thrived (Ekwenye et al., 2014). This part of FA 4 is interpreted as 

the foreshore (Figure 4A). 

Figure 3: Fluvial and shoreface facies associations. (A) and (B) are 

representative logs of the fluvial and shoreface facies 

associations in the study area respectively. (C) is an 

outcrop image of fluvial channel deposit at Government 

Technical College, Akpoha. (D) and (E) are outcrop 

images of shoreface deposits at Setraco Quarry, Amenu, 

and Julius Berger Quarry, Ibi. 

Figure 3: Shoreface-foreshore facies associations. (A) is a 

representative log of the upper section of the shorefaceforeshore 

facies associations. (C) and (D) are outcrop 

images of shoreface and foreshore deposits at Ibi. 

Facies Association 5 (FA 5): Tidal sand 

ridges 

FA 5 is dominated by planar cross-bedded 

facies (Sp1 and Sp5), in addition to 

h o r i z o n t a l l a m i n a t e d 

s a n d s t o n e f a c i e s ( S h 1 a n d S h 3 ) , 

structureless sandstone facies (Sm1 and 

Sm3), herringbone sandstone facies (Sxh), 

and fine-grained bioturbated sandstone 

facies (Sb1). Exposures of FA 5 are 

observed at Ozara-ukwu. The sandstone 

occurs as elongate ridges. Estimated 

outcrop thickness is about 26m. The 

outcrops are dominated by large and smallscale 

cross-beds which are interpreted to 

results of the migration of large- and smallscale 

sand waves (Stride et al., 1982; 

Bridges, 1982). The predominantly 

southwest azimuths of the cross-beds 

indicate unimodal paleocurrent flow 

direction. However, herringbone cross-beds 

as well as single sets of cross-beds in the 

reverse direction are evidence of 

subordinate bimodal paleocurrent flow. The 

NE-SW strike/trend of the tabular beds and 

ridge axes are oriented at oblique angles to 

the paleo flow direction, indicating that the 

sands are longitudinal bedforms which are 

interpreted to be tidal sand ridges (Stride et 

al., 1982; Belderson et al., 1982); otherwise 

referred to as offshore or shorelineassociated 

tidal sand ridges (Johnson and 

Baldwin, 1996), tidal current sand ridges or 

offshore sand ridges (Nichols, 2009). They 

are large-scale asymmetric bedforms with 

long axes oriented up to 20° to the direction 

of the strongest tidal currents (Off, 1963; 

Kenyon et al., 1981). Tidal sand ridges form 

at near-surface mean spring tidal current 

- 1 

velocities of about 50 to 100cms 

(Belderson et al., 1982). The sandstones 

are observed to be bioturbated by 

Ophiomorphaburrows. 

Facies Association 6 (FA 6): Tideinfluenced 

fluvial channel 

FA 6 is comprised of conglomerate facies 

(G3), structureless sandstone facies (Sm1 

and Sm2), muddy heterolith facies (Hm), 

sandy heterolith facies (Hs), horizontal 

laminated sandstone facies (Sh3), the 

angular-based planar crossbedded 

sandstone facies with mud drapes (Sp3), 

and the bioturbated sandstone facies (Sb1) 

(Figure 5A). FA 6 is exposed at the road cut 

section of the “Waterworks” sandstone, 

located midway between the Government 

College Roundabout in Afikpo and the Y- 

junction (Amasiri Junction) which connects 

the Afikpo-Okigwe Road and the Afikpo 

Abakaliki Road. The exposure which is 

about 50m thick, is made up of steeplydipping 

sandstone and heterolithic facies, 

which are observed to show increasingly 

tidal influence with successive rock 

deposition. The succession begins with 


conglomerate facies (G3), which overlies 

offshore deposits (FA 1), and then fines 

upward into coarse-grained structureless 

sandstone facies (Sm2) and subsequently 

into muddy heterolith facies (Hm). G3 is 

interpreted to be a product of fluvial stream 

f l o w s ( C o l l i n s o n , 1 9 9 6 ) . G 3 

make up the channel deposits with the 

coarsest sediments at the base. Their 

erosive base mark the base of the channels 

(Collinson, 1996). Mud flasers are observed 

within G3 and these suggest sediment 

fallouts during periods of slack water 

(Buatois et al., 1999). The muddy heterolith 

f a c i e s ( H m ) , a r e d e p o s i t e d f r o m 

suspension. Such occurrence of heterolithic 

facies on top of conglomerate facies may be 

attributed to an interference of tides with the 

fluvial process, which causes a countereffect 

that results in standing water and 

subsequent deposition of fine-grained 

materials from suspension in a low-energy 

environment (Buatois et al., 1999; Nichols, 

2009). 

The middle part of the outcrop is 

characterized by more frequently-occurring 

and thicker muddy heterolithic facies (Hm), 

and sandy heterolithic facies (Hs). These 

deposits occur as inclined beds, which are 

interpreted to be laterally accreted deposits 

on a channel point bar (Rebata et al., 2006). 

Thickness of the heterolithic beds range 

from 0.6m to 4m. They directly overlie 

coarse-grained structureless sandstone, 

whose bed thicknesses range from 0.9 to 

1.6m, and are likely tidal creeks. The muddy 

nature of the deposits reflectsrelatively 

weak tidal current. 

A change in conditions is observed towards 

the upper part of the outcrop where 

heterolithic facies and coarse-grained 

structureless sandstone facies (Sm2) 

succeed each other in an alternating 

pattern. The thickness of the heterolithic 

units is reduced, ranging from 0.1 to 0.9m 

and show rhythmic alternation of mm scale 

fine-grained sandstone and mudstone, 

which get sandier with each succeeding 

d e p o s i t i o n . T h e c o a r s e - g r a i n e d 

Figure 4: Tidal sand ridge facies associations. (A) is a representative log of the tidal sand 

ridge facies associations. (B), (C) and (D) are outcrop images of tidal sand ridge 

deposits at Ozara-ukwu. 

structureless sandstones on the other hand range in thickness from 0.3 to 0.4m. The alternation of sand and heterolithic layers is 

interpreted to reflect fluctuations in tidal currents (Nio and Yang, 1991; Chakraborty, et al., 2003). In each sand-heterolith couplet, the sand 

represents deposition from higher flow velocities followed by suspension fallout of fines during the slack water period; thus reflecting a 

single tidal fluctuation in a diurnal or semidiurnal system (Archer, 1995). 

The uppermost part of the outcrop is characterized by planar crossbedded facies with mud drapes (Sp3), structureless sandstone facies 

(Sm1 and Sm2), and bioturbated sandstone facies (Sb2). Sp3 indicates the migration of dunes (Dalyrmple and Choi (2012). Paleocurrent is 

unidirectional with a northwest net sand transport. Other sedimentary structures include reactivation surfaces and mud drapes, which are 

evidence of tidal influence. Mud drapes reflect waning of currents down when the tide turns (Nichols, 2009). The reactivation surfaces 

which are observed to cut through the bedforms are evidence of water-stage fluctuations and are indicative of opposing currents which 

erode the tops of dune bedforms (Rust and Jones 1987; Nichols, 2009). The structureless facies are most likely products of rapid 

deposition (Walker, 1995; Collinson, 1996). They contain mud lenses, which may be a result of deposition in channels within the turbidity 

maximum zone, where rapid accumulation of suspended fines are deposited as fluid mud (water-rich mud) during slack-water periods 

associated with high and low tides (McIlroy, 2004; Pontén and Plink-Bj rklund, 2009). The bioturbated sandstone facies (Sb2) is 


characterized by a monospecific suite of 

Ophiomorphaburrows which occur 

predominantly as endichnial traces, most 

likely created by infaunal species. The 

presence of trace fossils belonging to the 

Skolithosichnofacies indicates normal 

marine water deposition (Pemberton et al., 

1992; Gingras et al., 2002). The lowdiversity 

ichnofossils assemblage is 

suggestive of environmental duress typical 

of marginal marine/brackish-water settings 

(Pemberton et al., 1992; MacEachern and 

Pemberton, 1994; Rossetti and Santos 

Júnior, 2004; Buatois et al., 1999; Gingras 

and MacEachern, 2012). The dominance of 

infaunal traces suggest a survival 

adaptation of organisms the seek refuge in 

the deep-infaunal habitats due to rapid and 

extreme salinity fluctuations at the sediment 

surface (Sanders et al., 1965; Rhoads, 

1975; Buatois et al., 1999). Low diversity, 

monospecific and infaunalichno fossil suites 

have been recorded for marginal marine 

sequences by Hakes (1976), Archer and 

Maples (1984), and Martin (1993). 

DISCUSSIONS 

Palaeogeography 

The facies interpretation shows evidence 

that the sediments of the Amasiri Sandstone 

are of a shallow marine depositional setting, 

with local evidences of fluvial processes. 

The initial occurrence of the offshore 

deposits suggests a marine incursion 

(Figure 6A). Associated with the shales are 

extensive sand bodies, which are 

interpreted as subtidal sandwaves (Figure 

6B). These sand bodies are over 20m thick 

and are characterized by large-scale 

crossbedding, with forsets dipping at angles 

of up to 24. Unidirectional paleocurrents as 

well as reactivation surfaces suggest a tidal 

influence on the crossbeds. These largescale 

cross beds are interpreted to betidal 

sand waves. Despite the high energy 

associated with the tidal sand waves, 

evidence of energy fluctuations is 

evidenced in the occurrence of gradations 

within the forsets, and the occurrence of 

sparsehorizontal Thalassinoides and 

Paleophycus burrows that dominate some 

intervals. Depositional energy must have 

slowed enough for more offshore shale to be 

deposited over the sandwaves (Figure 6C). 

Locally in the Akpohaarea, a fluvial setting 

becomes prevalent, depositing channelized 

sandstone bodies (Figure 6D) which are 

characterized by large scale trough crossbeds.Shelf 

building commences and 

shoreface sediments were deposited 

( F i g u r e 6 E ) . T h e s u c c e s s i o n i s 

characterized by muddy and intensely 

bioturbated sandstones at the base and 

grades up into moderately sorted 

sandstones which are characterized by 

Figure 5: Tide-influenced fluvial channel facies associations. (A) is a representative log of 

the Tide-influenced fluvial channel facies association. (B) is an outcrop image of 

tide-influenced fluvial channel deposits at Afikpo. 

Ophiomorpha burrows and bivalve shells. 

The siliciclastic sediments are replaced by a 

combination of siliciclastic and carbonate 

facies, indicating a change to a shallow 

mixed siliciclastic-carbonate shelf setting 

( F i g u r e 6 F ) . T h e s e d e p o s i t s a r e 

characterized by intensely-bioturbated 

sandstones and fossili ferrous limestones. 

The deposition of calcareous facies is 

suggestive of sediment starvation. 

Continuous slow sedimentation of clastics, 

shoaling and warming of the sea water 

probably increase deposition of limestone 

(Dill et al., 1997) in the basin. The 

precipitation of carbonate in the basin was 

induced when the sea water became more 

alkaline. Aerobic conditions, shallow depth 

and warm temperature of the environment 

most likely encouraged thriving of benthic 

organisms such asbivalves. The favourable 

environmental conditions are evidenced in 

the intense bioturbation and large sizes of 

bioturbation structures in the sandstones. 

The fossili ferrous nature of the limestone 

suggest that the foreshore setting was 

prone to catastrophic events such as 

storms, which most have caused mass 

mortality of the organisms, whose shells 

were then incorporated into the limestones 

(Nwajide, 2013).While the foreshore may 

have indicated an imminent return to marine 

conditions, the shallow nature ofthe sea 

must have allowed a reworking of sediments 

by tides, which produced the sand ridges 

(Figure 6G). These sandbodies are 

characterized by their elongated ridge-like 

form and are oriented parallel to paleo flow 

direction indicated by their characteristic bidirectional 

cross-bedding. The presence of 

a monospecific suite of Ophiomorpha 

burrows, indicates fluctuating energy 

conditions. The transition from tidereworked 

sands to offshore facies, indicates 

a return to marine conditions. The lowenergy 

energy conditions favoured the 

deposition of the thick pile of shallow 

offshore shales which seal the sand bodies 

(Figure 6H).Depositional conditions 

changed again from marine to brackish 

water setting as observed in succeeding 

tide-influenced fluvial channel deposits 

(Figure 6I). Reactivation of fluvial channels 

probably led to the deposition of massive 

coarse to medium-grained sandstone and 

c o n g l o m e r a t e . H o w e v e r , a n o p e n 

interaction with thesea, allowed influence of 


the tides on the sediments, causing the channelized sand bodies to 

be capped by heterolithic deposits and/ or be characterized by 

mud-raped cross-bedding. The brackish or marginal marine setting 

must have been intolerable for most marine organisms, and only in 

faunal communities were able to survive. The response of these 

organisms to environmental stress such as salinity fluctuations was 

the creation of thickly-lined Ophiomorpha burrows buried deep in 

the substrate, which would act asa buffer to reduce harsh effect of 

fluctuating salinity. The offshore shales which cap the uppermost 

sandstone bodies (Figure 6J) indicate a revert to marine conditions, 

prior to the Santonian tectonic phase that emplaced the dolerite 

silland uplifted the Southern Benue Trough, causing a shift of the 

depo-center to the Anambra Basin. Based on the spatial 

distribution of facies association and ichnofossils assemblages, 

simple conceptual models are proposed for the palaeo depositional 

environment of the Amasiri. Each model depicts different facies 

associations in space and time. 

Figure 6: Palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Amasiri Sandstone Member. 


Sequence Stratigraphy 

The Shale Member (Eze-Aku Shale) of 

the Eze-Aku Formation is interpreted to be 

of shallow marine origin based on 

documentation of rich ammonite content 

in the shales (Barber, 1957; Reyment, 

1965; Murat, 1972; Nwachukwu, 1972; 

Umeji, 1984). The widespread nature of 

t h i s s h a l e , a s o b s e r v e d i n t h e 

study area, suggests a marine incursion. 

Initial age dating of the shales using 

a m m o n i t e c o n t e n t p l a c e t h e 

age of the shales as Turonian (Simpson, 

1955). Early works posited that Eze-Aku 

Group was deposited during the extensive 

marine transgression at the beginning of 

the Turonian when the sea invaded the 

Benue Trough from the Gulf of Guinea 

(Reyment, 1965; Kogbe, 1989). More 

recent work by Igwe et al. (2015)dated the 

Eze Aku shale facies as Late Cenomanian 

to Turonian. Kogbe (1989) suggested that 

t h e p e r i o d o f T u r o n i a n m a r i n e 

transgression was also characterized 

local regression, which is evidenced in the 

occurrence of the Amasiri Sandstone. 

Igwe and Okoro (2016) divided the Eze- 

A k u G r o u p i n t o a t r a n s g r e s s i v e 

component, which is the Eze-Aku Shale of 

Late Cenomanian to Early Turonian, and 

the regressive component, which is the 

Amasiri Sandstone of Middle to Late 

Turonian age. The range of depositional 

environments interpreted for the Amasiri 

Sandstone is tied to relative sea-level 

changes which affected sedimentation in 

the basin. This is used to describe the 

sequence stratigraphy of the Amasiri 

Sandstone. 

Sequence 1 

The sedimentary succession of the 

Amasiri Sandstone begins with a 

transgression which started in the Late 

Cenomanian and reached a maximum in 

the Early Turonian. This caused a relative 

increase in sea level (sea level 1 – sea 

level2), and a landward shift in the 

shoreline. Shallow offshore sediments 

were deposited on the older Abakaliki 

Formation of Albian-Cenomanian age. 

T h e c o n t a c t b e t w e e n b o t h 

lithostratigraphic units marks a candidate 

flooding surface (FS-1).The transgression 

also brought in sands into the basin. With 

the predominantly marine conditions of 

the basin, tidal action prevailed and 

unidirectional tidal currents reworked the 

sands into subtidal sandwaves, which are 

which comprises of poor to moderately 

sort, medium to coarse-grained sands, 

characterized by tabular-planar crossbeds 

with erosional surfaces. The offshore 

and the subtidal sandwave deposits make 

up a candidate transgressive systems 

tract (TST-1). 

A drop in energy levels causes a change 

from sand to shale deposition and the tidal 

sandwave deposit is capped by another 

offshore shale deposit, though of lesser 

thickness compared to the initial one. The 

deposition of a relatively lower amount of 

dark grey shale over the subtidal 

sandwaves suggests the attainment of a 

maximum reach of the sea level (sea level 

2 – sea level 3). The overlying shale 

represent a candidate highstand systems 

tract (HST-1) and its lower contact 

represents a candidate maximum flooding 

surface (MFS-1) which is likely associated 

with a global transgressive phase, such as 

that which characterized the Early 

Turonian. MFS-1 is characterized by 

opportunistic Ophiomorpha burrows, 

which were most likely produced during 

the period of low energy. 

Sequence 2 

Sequence 2 begins with deposition of 

fluvial channel sediments, which are most 

likely the initial record of a regressive 

phase thatcommenced in the Middle 

Turonian. This regression brought about a 

drastic relative sea-level fall (sea level 3 – 

sea level 4) and basin ward shift in the 

shoreline, decreasing accommodation in 

the basin. This activated fluvial systems to 

flow in the direction of the basin. These 

rejuvenated fluvial streams cut channels 

into the underlying sediments where 

fluvial sediments, which include 

conglomerates and trough cross-bedded 

sandstones, were deposited. The channel 

base in which the sediments occur 

probably represents an incised valley, and 

a candidate sequence boundary (SB-1) 

which underlies a lowstand systems tract. 

The fluvial streams are most likely the 

source that fed sediments into the basin, 

commencing shelf building. This led to the 

deposition of coarsening upward 

successions of shoreface sediments. 

Hence, the fluvial channel as well as the 

shoreface deposits make up a candidate 

lowstand systems tract (LST-1). 

With subsequent sediment input into the 

basin, sea level begins to rise relatively 

(sea level 4 – sea level 5) and aforeshore 

formed above a candidate maximum 

flooding surface (MFS-2). The prograding 

siliciclastic shoreface deposits are 

replaced with a mixture of siliciclastics and 

carbonates. This transition signifies a 

s i g n i f i c a n t s h i f t f r o m s h o a l i n g 

(progradation) of theshoreline to 

deepening (retrogradation) and is 

characterized by low sediment input and 

increase in accommodation. Tidal action 

ensues while relative sea level continues 

to rise(sea level 5 – sea level 6) and some 

sediments are reworked to form tidal sand 

ridges, which are characterized by 

bidirectional and herringbone crossbedding. 

The foreshore and tidal sand 

ridge deposits represent the second 

candidate highstand systems tract (HST- 

2). 

A continuation of relative sea level rise 

(sea level 6 – sea level 7) leads to another 

transgression that deposits offshore 

deposits which make up the second 

candidate transgressive systems tracts 

(TST-2). The contact between the tidal 

sand ridges and the offshore deposits 

becomes a third candidate flooding 

surface (FS-2). 

Sequence 3 

Sequence 3 begins with a relative drop in 

sea level (sea level 7 – sea level 8), which 

is just enough to activate fluvial channels 

which depositfining-upward successions 

of fluvial channel sands (conglomerate 

and very coarse sands). However, the 

fluvial channels most likely had interaction 

with the sea. Evidence of this include mud 

streaks, mud-draped crossbedding, 

reactivation surfaces and heterolithic 

units which overlie the channel sands. 

The occurrence of aconglomeratic to very 

coarse grained sandstone over offshore 

sediments marks the second candidate 

sequence boundary (SB-2). The tideinfluenced 

fluvial sands represent a 

candidate lowstand systems tract (LST- 

2). This regressive phase was terminated 

by a relative rise in sea level (sea level 8 – 

sea level 9) that continued the deposition 

of offshore deposits, which most likely 

makes up a third candidate transgressive 

systems tract (TST-3). The contact of 

TST-3 with the underlying sands 

represent a third candidate flooding 

surface (FS-3). The transgressive 

sedimentary package (TST-3) marks the 

end of the Amasiri Sandstone deposition. 


Figure 7: Sequence stratigraphic model of the Amasiri Sandstone Member. 

CONCLUSION 

The Amasiri Sandstone outcropping in the 

A f i k p o a r e a i s i n t e r p r e t e d a s a 

predominantly tide-influenced shallow 

marine deposit with some fluvial influences. 

This is evidenced in the facies associations 

as well as the dominance of Skolithos and 

Cruziana ichnofacies. The purely fluvial 

sediments are devoid of any trace fossils. 

The tide-influenced fluvial sediments on the 

other hand, show low diversities and 

abundance of Ophiomorpha, which signify 

the stressful conditions associated with 

m a r g i n a l m a r i n e e n v i r o n m e n t s . 

Palaeogeographical reconstructions shows 

that the facies associations of the Amasiri 

Sandstone bear imprints of relative sealevel 

changes as it is deposited. This is 

f u r t h e r e x p o s e d i n t h e s e q u e n c e 

stratigraphy, which shows that the Amasiri 

Sandstone Member has both transgressive 

and regressive components. Sequence 

stratigraphic interpretation of the Amasiri 

Sandstone reveals three stratigraphic 

sequences. Sequence 1 is an incomplete 

sequence made up of a transgressive 

systems tract and a highstand systems 

tracts. It begins the transgressive phase that 

introduced offshore and tidal sandwave 

deposits of the Amasiri Sandstone into the 

Benue Trough. Sequence 2 is a complete 

sequence that consists of fluvial channel 

a n d s h o r e f a c e d e p o s i t s a s t h e 

lowstandparasequence, foreshore and tidal 

s a n d r i d g e d e p o s i t s a s t h e 

highstandparasequence, and offshore 

deposits as the highstandparasequence. 

This second sequence is overlain by an 

i n c o m p l e t e s t r a t i g r a p h i c s e q u e n c e 

(Sequence 3) which starts with tideinfluenced 

fluvial deposits, and ends with 

offshore deposits, both of which represent a 

lowstand and transgressive systems tracts 

respectively. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

This research was financed by the 

Petroleum Technology Development Fund 

(PTDF) scholarship. The research also 

benefitted from discussions with the 

Academic Board of the Department of 

Geology and Prof. A. U. Okoro. Special 

thanks go to Chidubem O. Emedo for his 

immense help during the fieldwork. 

Anonymous reviews of the manuscript are 

also acknowledged. 

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The NAPE divestment workshop held on Thursday 21st of 

July 2022 at the Eko Hotel in Lagos. For those who attended 

physically, there was the additional benefit of the direct oneon-one 

conversations during the networking breaks, as well 

as interaction with sought-after business leaders and 

authority in the oil and gas sector. 

The workshop audience included executives in the following 

roles and positions. 

Ÿ Leaders and captains of oil and gas industry 

(upstream, midstream, and downstream). 

Ÿ Decision makers in the Ministries, Department and 

Agencies that perform Regulatory functions and 

oversights, including the members of the oil and gas 

sub-committee members of the National assembly of 

the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Ÿ Oil and gas servicing companies. 

Ÿ Leaders of affiliate and relevant professional bodies. 

Ÿ Executives of key advisory institutions in finance, IT, 

legal, maritime, technology, trade, shipping and other 

support services. 

Herein are few excerpts and photos from this important 

discourse for your reading pleasure. 


THE BIG SALE... OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NIGERIAN OIL & GAS 

INDUSTRY FROM ASSET DIVESTMENTS 

OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND 

Globally, the oil and gas industry is 

undergoing an accelerated evolution to 

respond to the world's growing demand for 

cheaper, cleaner, and sustainable energy. 

Nigeria is not exempt from these 

substantial considerations; however, the 

70 years old Nigeria oil & gas upstream 

industry is going through additional major 

significant transformations that is 

completely changing its business 

landscape and primarily these changes are 

driven by the passing into law of the 

'Petroleum industry Act', asset divestments 

and insecurities of critical upstream 

facilities. 

DIVESTMENT WORKSHOP 

In the last 15 years, there have been 

multiple divestments of oil and gas assets 

in Nigeria's onshore and shallow offshore 

area. And the scale of these divestments is 

larger and are more frequent. Several 

conversations and engagements have 

focused on 'why divestment?'. However, 

there is a need to discuss the possible 

benefits of divestment to all stakeholders. 

The Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationist (NAPE), led this critical 

conversation on Divestment via a 

workshop to examine the overall Nigerian 

oil & gas divestment activities to enable the 

identification of opportunities for all, 

including local players, operators, servicing 

companies and upstream to midstream to 

downstream infrastructure owners. 

WORKSHOP FOCUS 

T h i s w o r k s h o p g a t h e r e d c r i t i c a l 

stakeholders, decision makers and 

eminent speakers of the Nigerian oil & gas 

industry to discuss opportunities, barriers, 

and solutions to challenges to harness the 

opportunities in the Nigerian oil & gas 

divestments. Focused presentations were 

delivered on the following topics at this 

workshop, 

1. Divestment opportunities and the 

challenges of insecurity, crude 

theft, and asset decommissioning. 

2. Funding challenges, divestment 

strategies and incentives. 

3. PIA the new laws and policies; 

regulator's role in divestments. 

Also, there was a moderated 6-man panel 

session on the main theme of the workshop 

who discussed along the following themes 

and considerations: 

Ÿ Opportunities from divestment for 

local players, operators, servicing 

companies and upstream to 

midstream infrastructure owners. 

Ÿ S o l u t i o n s t o k e y b a r r i e r s , 

challenges, and issues that 

prevent access to divestment 

opportunities. 

Ÿ 

Implication of Divestment on 

National Revenue, Community 

Engagement and Local content. 

The IPPG (Independent Petroleum 

Producer Group) is a fast-growing group of 

companies with investment of more than 

$25billion over the last 10 years; covering 

over $10billion in acquiring assets and 

$15billion in CAPEX development, to 

reiterate the business idea of working 

assets and growing them. With over 20% 

growth in oil and condensate, 10% growth 

in gas production, the IPPG is committed to 

domestic gas supply, with 60% of the 

majority of domestic gas coming from 

Seplat and ND Western (leading). 

The indigenous players have achieved a lot 

and still have more to achieve in the future. 

In terms of reserves and production growth, 

the IPPG current gas production capacity is 

over 600MMscf/d while making IPPG the 

best place to further grow reserves onshore 

and also in shallow water. Nigerian LNG is 

very important in gas for domestic power as 

it develops the gas and monetises it for 

foreign earnings. Mr Roger sternly 

reiterated that Nigeria cannot continue as a 

nation to flare gas or reinject gas without 

providing enough for the local market. We 

must be able to build domestic gas and stop 

importing generators (over 50million 

currently in the country) and diesel, at the 

most expensive prices in the world. Host 

communities are dependent and therefore 

are shared stakeholders, hence, they must 

be provided with employment, education, 

healthcare, local capacity building and a 

future to look forward to, in the midst of their 

fast-growing population. He mentioned that 

Nigeria must also refine her products incountry 

to add value and this is evident by 

efforts from the IPPG members, such as 

Dangote Refinery to build these refineries 

in-country. 

Excerpt from Mr. Avuru’s presentation 

o n F u n d i n g C h a l l e n g e s a t t h e 

Divestment Workshop 

Divestment opportunities in the oil industry 

involves the combination of diverse 

parameters in asset development, 

strategies, business development, 

regulations, and multidisciplinary 

incentives. The ability to direct the 

research and development needed to 

further explore the Nigerian sedimentary 

basin is a measure of how Nigeria 

proposes to get the best of this current 

divestment opportunity. 

Nigeria has experienced a production 

decline of about 50% in the last 10 years in 

the overall 40 years of onshore and 

offshore production. This is commensurate 

with reduction in investment capital over 

the same period. 

In 2012, when the IOCs first broached the 

idea of leaving the Joint Ventures, this 

move marked the beginning of production 

decline. They stopped spending resulting 

in to decline in production. The crisis led to 

the suspension of evacuation facilities 

s u c h a s s u r v e i l l a n c e , p i p e l i n e 

maintenance and more. If all these 

processes was well managed by a forward 

looking regulatory body, we would have 

had a process that mitigated these exits. 

In reversing this decline, we must attempt 

to do the following: 

Ÿ Strengthen our regulation 

Ÿ Inject massive capital into the industry. 

Ÿ Re-establish transparency and 

International confidence. 

A $30 billion spend can accelerate the 

meeting of current production demand. 

The way forward also involves focussing 

on the domestic refinery and ensuring host 

community inclusiveness, strengthen 

surveillance using kinetic technology and 

reconfiguring our industry architectural 

framework. This will come with emerging 

indigenous companies having strong 

exploration programs to back up current 

development to reverse the decline, while 

harnessing the opportunities in the current 

divestment. 


Seplat's Divestment Opportunities Journey. 

Lessons Learned, Best Practices 

and Success Story . 

The special presentation on Seplat's Divestment Opportunities Journey, Lessons Learned, Best Practices, and Our Success Stories… What Next Post 

Divestments – Vision 2030 by Mr. Roger Brown, CEO of Seplat Energy PLC, at NAPE's Divestment Workshop captured the following: 

The Evolving Landscape (What You do to Address the Future Change) 

funds raised at its IPO as dividends, showing that 

it has a strong ability to raise capital and pay 

dividends. This is an indication of Seplat's 

capacity to participate in the divestment process. 

The Independent Petroleum Producers 

Group(IPPG) is an association of indigenous 

Exploration and Production (E&P) companies. 

The association boasts of membership of fastgrowing 

companies with investments of more than 

$25billion over the last 10 years; covering over 

$10billion in acquired assets and $15billion in 

CAPEX development. With over 20% growth in oil 

and condensate, 10% growth in gas production, 

the IPPG is committed to domestic gas supply, 

with 60% of the majority of domestic gas coming 

from Seplat and ND Western (leading). 

Indigenous players have achieved a lot and still 

have more to achieve in the future. In terms of 

reserves and production growth, the IPPG's 

current gas production capacity is over 

600MMscf/d, making IPPG the best place to 

further grow reserves onshore and in shallow 

water. 

Nigerian LNG is very important in gas for 

domestic power as it develops the gas and 

monetizes it for foreign earnings. Mr. Brown 

reiterated that Nigeria as a nation cannot continue 

to flare gas or reinject gas without providing 

enough for the local market. ''We must be able to 

build domestic gas infrastructure and stop 

importing generators (over 50million currently in 

the country) and diesel, at the most expensive 

prices in the world.'’ 

Host communities are dependent and therefore 

are shared stakeholders, hence, they must be 

provided with employment, education, 

healthcare, local capacity building and a future to 

look forward to, in the midst of their fast-growing 

population. 

Mr. Brown added that: Nigeria must also refine her 

products in-country to add value, and this is 

evident by efforts from IPPG members, such as 

Dangote Refinery who are building refineries incountry. 

Seplat's Assets Acquisition 

In the oil business, Seplat has a rich portfolio of 

producing oil and gas assets; it currently has 7 

onshore oil blocks in the Niger Delta, with its first 

acquisitions located in the western part (OML 4, 

38 and 41), bought in 2010. OML 56 was acquired 

in 2013 after it was pilfered from the first 

acquisitions, OML 53 and 55 bought from 

Chevron in 2014, but not paid for till 2016 after a 

long legal battle. In 2019, Seplat acquired Eland 

Oil and Gas off the London Stock Exchange (LSE) 

and brought it back to Nigeria. Seplat's ownership 

give birth to the OML 40 asset and a total of over 

217 million barrels of oil. 

For the gas business, at Oben which Seplat has 

been developing heavily, it has over 465MMscf/d 

of gas processing; upgrading Sapele gas plant to 

produce over 85 MMscf/d and the Anoh gas plant 

will start a potential 300 MMscf/d production by 

mid-2023. 

Seplat Has Built a Strong Profile 

Seplat raised $535million in equity at its IPO 

(Initial Public Offer) in 2014 and encourages the 

industry group to come to the Nigerian Stock 

Exchange at least and the international exchange 

in the future. Seplat has given back nearly all 

Seplat Has Built a Robust and Resilient 

Business 

Seplat values oil, gas and condensate, or a 'mix' 

of them all, which is very important as the 

company has established a growing gas 

business. This is different from what obtained in 

2010 when the company purchased gas assets 

and had challenges due to the price of gas. Seplat 

has become a local champion with a solid 

operating track record, and positive cash flow. 

The company runs a resilient business model 

driven by low production costs. Seplat has shown 

financial discipline through its financial policy 

designed to mitigate industry cyclicality. 

Seplat's Contribution to Government and 

Communities 

Seplat in Nigeria focuses strongly on 

indigenization. It ensures that local contractors 

are from the catchment states, spending almost 

$1billion in wages and benefits. 

Seplat's Social Impact 

In the area of eye care, education and 

empowerment, these critical sectors are very 

close to the company's heart, having carried out 

over 80,000 eye disease treatments, provided 

over 4,000 scholarships and empowering over 

2,000 beneficiaries. 

Acquisition Best Practices 

Seplat believes in six best practices that have 

worked for the company, they include: 

i. In-depth due diligence through 

technical, commercial and regulatory 

processes. 

ii. Utilizing a robust financing model by 

being realistic with regards to the rigs to 

bring on-board, CAPEX to expand or 

fund projects and knowing how to avoid 

paying too much for an asset and being 

left with no funds to develop it. 

iii. Maximizing the values of partnerships 

iv. 

and risk sharing. 

Capitalizing on the strength of an 

experienced team of over 500 personnel 

(98% of whom are Nigerians), provides 

an experienced pool from where strong 

teams can be recruited when necessary. 

v. Seplat has a middle management with a 

voice, which is listened to, as any 

company looking to survive on the long- 


term must learn to listen to the little 

voices from the middle management. 

vi. Focusing on opportunities with attractive 

upside potentials. There is room for 

mistakes here because everyone is 

allowed to make mistakes in our 

business. 

vii. Carrying out peer reviews with 

c o m p e t e n t t h i r d - p a r t i e s o n 

opportunities, listening to contrasting 

reviews, as well as listening to the voices 

from the middle management. It is very 

important to carry out peer review. 

Lessons Learnt 

What the company has learnt in the past years: 

i. Having and working with a realistic work 

program, carrying JV partners along, 

etc. 

ii. Keeping a simple and fit for purpose 

capital structure. 

iii. Focusing on liquid export routes to be 

clear on the difference between well 

head barrels and terminal barrels. This 

is very important because the company 

has to concentrate on the quantity of 

product at the terminal and not on the 

producing capacity of the well head, 

since the well head of an asset might 

have 50,000 bbl/d capacity, but only 

5,000bbl/d will arrive at the terminal. 

iv. 

With regards to an asset's future, 

decarbonization should be addressed 

for the company not to struggle on the 

long-run. However, Seplat hasn't been 

d o i n g i t s b e s t w i t h r e s p e c t t o 

decarbonization, as the company has 

m a i n l y b e e n f o c u s i n g o n E S G 

( E n v i r o n m e n t a l , S o c i a l a n d 

Governance). Gas as the energy 

transition strategy in the company's 

portfolio means funding is more likely to 

be obtained than focusing fully on oil. 

v. Being realistic with time frames to strike 

deals completion with government 

agencies. 

vi. 

Possessing a day-1 to day-100 plan and 

clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) 

for staff by having measured targets. 

What Do We Need for Success? 

i. Crude oil theft and downtime has made 

the oil industry unworkable; we cannot 

continue with theft on the pipelines that 

forces companies like Seplat to shut 

down or reduce production, etc. 

ii. Cash call payments to be made in 

advance of spending. 

iii. Gas market to fully move to market 

iv. 

driven 'willing buyer and willing seller'. 

Clear position of government on 

divestment processes - follow laws and 

embrace the PIA. We ask for clarity, 

transparency and the clear position of 

the government, as Seplat is ready to 

follow the rules. 

v. Having currency stability with robust 

microeconomic policies, as flexibility and 

liquidity of the currency will pave a way 

for a lot of money to come into Nigeria. 

vi. 

Having more financing institutions 

willing to lend to Nigerian businesses; 

the equities in Nigeria are very 

affordable, the African Development 

Bank and Government banks should be 

encouraged to lend money to long term 

investors. 

vii. Understanding the transition story which 

deals with decarbonization alongside 

social development. We cannot have the 

t r a n s i t i o n f r o m h y d r o c a r b o n t o 

renewable energy without passing 

through social development. 

The Future 

Speaking on the future of International Oil 

Companies (IOCs), Mr. Brown asked this begging 

question, 'why is it not a time of celebration of 

recycle of investment especially after spending 60 

years in Nigeria and the Indigenous companies 

are now working with the government?'. 

The indigenous companies are natural partners 

with the government and will see to the growth of 

the country as they understand the sector, hence 

they should be jumping at this and continually 

drive investment. The indigenous companies will 

not be leaving anytime soon because of their longterm 

horizon, they will be here forever with their 

practical approach and a measured reaction to the 

micro-economic events. 

Facing the reality, Nigeria contributes only 1% to 

the world's daily oil production, but the potential is 

vast. Hence, the sector players need to work 

together for Nigeria to be bigger and to be more 

relevant. So, why are we arguing about anything 

when there are so many assets? Why can't we 

work together and develop the resources and put 

more hydrocarbon/gas in the world, monetize it 

and reinvest? This is what the IPPG needs to do 

as a group. 

The capital will come to Nigeria and will stay in 

Nigeria - this is when the investment landscape is 

stable. We need transparency and we need to 

follow the rules. One of the things investors find 

difficult is that they struggle to see the future 

because there is always some event. So, we 

usually spend most of the time explaining to them 

what that event is and explaining why we can go 

through it. We would love not to always explain 

these things to the investors if we can. 

Since 2016, foreign direct investment (FDI) has 

flooded Egypt, triggering significant growth, while 

FDI to Nigeria plummeted. 

Going Forward 

The greatest business opportunity ahead is to 

supply the right mix of energy to support Nigeria's 

growth. In doing so, all Energy companies must 

make a positive social impact and contribute to 

Nigeria's achievement of the United Nation's 

sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

Seplat believes that oil remains crucial for 

Nigeria's development and that gas will drive 

energy transition and development. Seplat will 

continue to invest in heavy carbon and try to 

decarbonize it, making it cheaper. 

Seplat and Nigeria's Energy Transition 

Seplat's key priorities in addressing energy 

transition is via its 3 business arms: Upstream, 

Midstream Gas and New Energy. 

U p s t r e a m : E f f i c i e n t l y c o s t c o n t r o l 

decarbonization, conversion of dollar into more 

dollar and then reinvestment. This is the cash-cow 

with which Seplat hopes to fund its business going 

forward, without depending on raising debt to fund 

our business. 

Midstream Gas: To broaden our reach within 

midstream gas by accelerating the replacement of 

diesel and biomass, as well as supporting reliable 

low-cost energy. Key initiatives for this involve 

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG 

(Compressed Natural Gas) for automobiles, etc. 

New Energy: This involves moving into electricity. 

This will be selective with less marketing. It will be 

a slow upgrade from gas to power to solar. Key 

initiatives include: combining solar with gas, 

exploring carbon offset markets, etc. 


SPOTLIGHT ON KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS 


DIVESTMENT 

WORKSHOP 

PHOTO GALLERY 



Dr. Ebi Omatsola FNAPE surprise 80th birthday celebration at the Divestment workshop 


Evolution Of Independents Into 

International Oil Companies 

COURTESY MAJOR WAVES ENERGY REPORT 

Meanwhile, four independent oil and gas producing 

companies in January submitted non-binding bids for 

Shell Plc onshore assets. The companies are Seplat 

Energy Plc, Sahara Group Ltd., Heirs Oil and Gas Ltd., 

and ND Western Ltd. 

According to Bloomberg, based on the early March 

2021 crude oil price of plus $90, Shell could realise as 

much as $4 billion from its 30 percent operating interest 

from the onshore assets. Other companies who are 

part of the joint venture include Nigerian National 

Petroleum Co., TotalEnergies SE and Eni SpA, with 55 

percent, 10 percent, and 5 percent stakes, respectively. 

Nigeria is the largest crude oil producer in Africa with 

over 37 billion proven oil reserves and over 206 Trillion 

Cubic Feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves. The 

discovery of oil in Nigeria dates back to 1956 when 

Shell-BP discovered oil at Oloibiri in the present day 

Bayelsa State. 

The country became a key oil producer in 1958 when its 

first oil field came on stream producing 5,100 bpd. After 

1960, exploration rights in onshore and offshore areas 

adjoining the Niger Delta were extended to other 

foreign companies. In 1965 the EA field was discovered 

by Shell in shallow water southeast of Warri, Delta 

State. 

Although Nigeria has been in the business of crude oil 

exploration and production for more than half a century, 

the country did not mainstream indigenous capacity 

until 2010 when it enacted the Nigerian Oil and Gas 

Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. Before 

then, International Oil Companies (IOCs) like Shell 

Nigeria, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), 

ExxonMobil, Chevron, TotalEnergies, among others, 

were mainly the players in the Nigerian oil and gas 

industry. 

The enactment of NOGICD Act gave birth to indigenous 

oil and gas companies like Seplat Energy, ND Western, 

Eroton E&P, Aiteo E&P, among others. These 

companies have shown their capacity and continue to 

prove that Nigerian companies have what it takes to run 

the country's oil and gas industry. And with the IOCs 

exiting from onshore and shallow-water exploration 

and production, divesting, and open to selling more of 

their assets, these indigenous companies are stepping 

in to take over these assets. 

The process of oil and gas exploration and production 

in less than 150 meters (500 feet) of water, is known as 

Shallow water drilling. According to Drillers.com, “Not 

too long ago, shallow water would be described as up to 

300-400 feet (91-121 meters) deep, but nowadays 

anything under 1000 feet (305 meters) could be 

described as shallow water.” 

IOCs' Exit 

In May 2021, the CEO of Shell Plc, Ben van Beurden, at 

the company's annual general meeting, hinted the 

company's plan to exit from its onshore oil and gas 

operations in Nigeria. 

Although Nigeria has been in the business of crude 

oil exploration and production for more than half a 

century, the country did not mainstream 

indigenous capacity until 2010 when it enacted the 

N i g e r i a n O i l a n d G a s I n d u s t r y C o n t e n t 

Development (NOGICD) Act. 

“When law and order breaks down, when sabotage and 

theft is rife where you try to operate, no amount of effort 

that we put in can actually try to compensate for that,” 

Argusmedia quoted him as saying. 

Ben van Beurden 

“At some point in time, we also have to conclude that 

this is an exposure that does not fit with our risk appetite 

anymore. We have drawn that conclusion, and we are 

now talking to the Nigerian government on the way 

forward”. 

Even though the Nigerian Government wants Shell to 

continue to operate its onshore assets, it seems the 

company has made up its mind to focus on offshore 

exploration and production. The Minister of State for 

Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, confirmed 

in May 2021 that the country is in talks with Shell over 

the planned divestment of its onshore assets. 

“Nigeria is in its talks with Shell include handing over 

Shell's stakes in the assets to the Nigerian Petroleum 

Development Co. (Company), the upstream arm of 

state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Co., or NNPC, 

inviting bids from Nigerian indigenous producers, or 

having a mixture of local firms and foreign independent 

producers to bid for the assets,” Sylva had told 

journalists in Abuja. 

In the last 11 years, Shell has sold its stake in most of its 

onshore assets. Having been in the business of oil and 

gas exploration and production in Nigeria for the past 

50 years, Shell has faced several legal battles from 

various host communities, acusing the company of 

negligence and environmental pollution. This is making 

the business environment challenging, which has 

necessitated the exit. 

Also in late February, Seplat Energy announced that it 

has entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to 

acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing 

Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) for a purchase price of 

$1,283 million-plus up to $300 million contingent 

consideration, subject to lockbox, working capital and 

other adjustments at closing relative to the effective 

date 

. 

In a statement, Seplat said that the transaction cut 

across the acquisition of the entire offshore shallow 

water business of ExxonMobil in Nigeria, which is an 

established, high-quality operation with a highly skilled 

local operating team and a track record of safe 

operations, producing 95 kboepd (W.I.) in 2020 (92% 

liquids). 

Chief Timipre Sylva 

The MPNU portfolio primarily consists of a 40 percent 

operating ownership of four oil mining leases (OMLs 67, 

68, 70, 104) and associated infrastructure (NNPC is the 

60% partner); the Qua Iboe Terminal; one of Nigeria's 

largest export facilities; and 51 percent interest in 

Bonny River Terminal and Natural Gas Liquids 

Recovery Plants at EAP and Oso. 

The transaction does not include ExxonMobil's 

deepwater assets in Nigeria. Seplat noted the MPNU 

will operate as a stand-alone subsidiary of Seplat 

Energy and upon closing and following receipt of 

requisite regulatory approvals, it will align MPNU with its 

overall strategic goals and ESG objectives. 


“This is a transformational acquisition for Seplat Energy 

that strengthens our partnership with the national oil 

company, the NNPC, and consummates the spirit of the 

newly enacted PIA. 

“As a significantly larger business, with a stronger 

resource base and greatly enhanced capabilities, we 

will be better positioned to provide sustainable energy 

solutions that drive growth and profitability for the 

benefit of all our stakeholders, particularly our host 

communities and the wider Nigerian economy. 

“We fully support the aims of the Federal Government's 

“Decade of Gas”, and this acquisition will accelerate our 

development of Nigeria's gas resources to help achieve 

a just transition for our rapidly growing country,” said 

the former Chairman of Seplat Energy, Dr. ABC Orjiako 

on the plan acquisition. 

On his part, CEO of Seplat Energy, Roger Brown said: 

“This transaction underpins Seplat Energy's drive to be 

a leader in the growth of the indigenous independent 

energy sector in Nigeria. 

“The acquisition is a perfect fit with our strategy to build 

a sustainable business and deliver energy transition in 

Nigeria. Our financial strength has enabled us to attract 

high-quality local and international capital providers to 

fund this transaction without diluting our existing 

shareholders and reflects our deliberate approach to 

capital allocation. 

“We are determined to drive our growth through the 

extensive low-cost and low-risk production 

opportunities it delivers in the near term, whilst also 

developing longer-term opportunities to monetise our 

significant gas resources through domestic and export 

opportunities. 

“This is a win-win for both companies. Together, we will 

strengthen our focus on profitability and cash 

generation to reinvest in Nigeria's energy development. 

“MPNU's employees and contractors have a strong 

reputation for safety and operational excellence, and I 

look forward to welcoming them to the Seplat Energy 

family.” 

Insecurity around land, swamp, and shallow water 

assets has been a major concern for IOCs, which is why 

they are exiting the terrain to focus on deepwater 

exploration and production. 

Although shallow-water rigs have legs that reach the 

bottom of the seafloor and have blowout preventers 

(BOPs) above the surface of the water that are 

accessible for inspection, maintenance and repair, and 

can be controlled either remotely or manually in case of 

an emergency, IOCs are exiting mainly because of 

community hostilities against their operations and 

security concerns. 

This is a transformational acquisition for Seplat 

Energy that strengthens our partnership with the 

national oil company, the NNPC, and consummates 

the spirit of the newly enacted PIA. 

Basil Omiyi 

Toeing the line, TotalEnergies SE in May, formally 

launched the sale of its 10 percent stake in its Nigerian 

joint venture with NNPC Limited, Shell Petroleum 

Development Company (SDPC) and Eni. 

Reuters reports that a sale document tendering for 

interest showed that the oil firm appointed Canada's 

Scotiabank as the financial adviser for the transaction. 

According to Reuters, the company will be selling its 

interest in 13 onshore fields and 3 in shallow water, with 

combined production of over 20,000 barrels of oil 

equivalent per day. The French oil giant will, however, 

keep OMLs 23 and 28 and its interest in the associated 

gas pipeline network that feeds Nigeria LNG. 

Brief Background of Bidders for Shell's Assets 

When some IOCs divested some of their assets to 

indigenous oil and gas companies, there was palpable 

fear among stakeholders that it was going to be mission 

impossible. The notion then was that these companies 

did not have the technical know-how, the expertise, and 

the financial resources to man the divested assets. All 

that has been demystified by Seplat, ND Western, 

Eroton, Aiteo, among others who today have become 

key players in the industry. 

Our financial strength has enabled us to attract highquality 

local and international capital providers to fund 

this transaction without diluting our existing 

shareholders and reflects our deliberate approach to 

capital allocation. 

For instance, at the time of acquisition, Seplat's gross 

operated liquids production at Oil Mining Leases 

(OMLs) 4, 38 and 41 were 14,000 bopd. But the 

company, through the implementation of a focused redevelopment 

work programme and drilling campaign 

grew this to a peak rate of over 84,000 bopd, 

representing a six-fold increase and significantly ahead 

of the peak rate achieved by the previous operator of 

approximately 56,000 bopd in 1996. 

The company, which is listed on both the Nigerian Stock 

Exchange (NSE) and the London Stock Exchange 

(LSE), also accounts for about 30 percent of gas used 

by power-generating companies in Nigeria. 

Similarly, ND Western Limited, which is one of the 

fastest-growing exploration and production indigenous 

companies in Nigeria, is an independent Nigerian oil 

and gas exploration and production company 

incorporated on April 20, 2011 as a Special Purpose 

Vehicle to acquire the jointly held 45 percent 

participating interest of The Shell Petroleum 

Development Company of Nigeria, Total E&P Nigeria 

Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited in Oil 

Mining Lease (OML) 34. ND Western is now the holder 

of a 45 percent Participating Interest in OML 34, in an 

un-incorporated JV with Nigerian Petroleum 

Development Company Limited (NPDC) that holds the 

remaining 55 percent interest previously held by its 

parent entity, the Nigerian National Petroleum 

Corporation. NPDC is the Operator of the Asset. 

According to the company, its primary objective for the 

acquisition of the asset is to maximise the commercial 

and economic value of the full spectrum of the 

resources in OML 34 to include growth in oil, gas, 

condensate, and NGLs production. 

Just like Seplat and ND Western, Heirs Oil & Gas is 

Africa's largest, Nigerian oil and gas company, led by a 

board and management team with significant regional 

and global experience in production, exploration, and 

value creation in the resources sector. 

In February 2021, Heirs Oil and Gas expanded its 

portfolios by making an investment of over $1billion in 

the acquisition of the strategic OML 17 from Shell, ENI, 

and Total. The investment has been described by 

various analysts as a very positive affirmation of 

confidence it has in the robustness of the Nigerian 

economy. Heirs Oil and Gas is the sole operator of OML 

17. 

For Sahara, it is a leading energy company in Africa. Its 

upstream division is one of Africa's leading 

independent E&P players with a diverse portfolio of 8 oil 

& gas assets in prolific basins across Africa and a 

production capacity of at least 10,000 bopd with plans 

to boost production to at least 100,000 bopd over the 

next 5 years. Its assets in Nigeria include OML 18, OML 

40, OML 148, OML 228, OML 284, OPL 286. 

Gas Development 

Nigerian independents are playing key roles in the gas 

space. Gas is seen as the energy of the future and 

Nigerian government is doing everything to make gas a 

dominant energy source in the country. In 2020, the 

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief 

Timipre Sylva, declared the year as the Year of Gas. 

This was followed by the Decade of Gas (2021-2030), 

which President Muhammadu Buhari declared in 2021. 

The initiative is aimed at making Nigeria a gas powered 

economy by 2030. 

Indigenous E&P companies like Seplat, ND Western, 

Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP), 

Eroton E&P, Platform Petroleum, Aiteo, First E&P, 

Waltersmith Petroman, among others, account for a 

significant percentage of the gas produced in the 

country. 

“For Platform, we're acting quite responsibly. We're one 

of the smallest assets in the marginal field's basket in 

2003/2004. But we've been able to grow with no more 

than 2,000 barrels in oil production. It's only now that 

we're doing 3,000 – 2,500. We've been able to do quite 

a whole lot. We're also fortunate that we're able to 

commercialise our entire gas. Two – three years ago, 

we were paying penalities for flaring gas. But we can tell 

you that in the next two months, we'll have zero flare. So 

we've been able to commercialise our entire gas — 

everything,” said the Chairman, Platform Petroleum 

Limited, Mr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs on the margins of the 

2022 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in 

Houston, Texas, United States. 

Mr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs 

“We've tried as a small indigenous company and we 

also expect support for running our affairs quite 

prudently, for having a robust arrangement with our 

host community. We've never had any issue with our 

host community from the first day we began our 

activities till date. There has not been any 

But the company, through the implementation of a 

focused re-development work programme and 

drilling campaign grew this to a peak rate of over 

84,000 bopd, representing a six-fold increase and 

significantly ahead of the peak rate achieved by the 

previous operator of approximately 56,000 bopd in 

1996. 

downtime as a result of differences we've had. There 

has not been any such thing. So these are some of the 

things we expect that sometimes the government can 

look into and decide that look, 'we need to pat these 


companies on the back by giving them more 

opportunities'. So Platform truly qualifies for these 

opportunities from that very small asset. 

“We didn't even think that we'll be able to do about 7 

million barrels of crude till date, but in the last 15 years, 

we've done about 11 million barrels. And right now 

we're producing 30,000MMscfd and all of that is being 

pushed into the local market.” 

Since its acquisition of OML 17, Heirs Oil & Gas has 

more than doubled the gas production capacity of OML- 

17 from 50 to 120 mmscfd within the short period the 

company has operated this asset. According to the 

company, all this gas goes into the eastern Nigeria 

domestic gas market to enhance power generation and 

create the much-needed feedstock for gas-based 

industries, sustaining & creating jobs and improving 

lives. 

“Decades of underinvestment in the asset cannot be 

corrected in a few months, since taking over the asset, 

we have been working arduously on this objective with 

the execution of flare reduction projects such as 

follows: AGG (Associated Gas Gathering) compressor 

uptime improvement, Facility upgrades, provision of 

gas gathering solutions and Facility off-gas utilisation 

initiatives,” stated the Chief Executive Officer of Heirs 

Oil & Gas, Osa Igiehon, recently. 

Osa Igiehon 

As of January 2022, Nigeria's gas reserves stood at 

approximately 209 Trillion cubic feet (Tcf), according to 

the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory 

Commission (NUPRC). The growth of gas reserves is a 

critical factor to achieving the Federal Government's 

Decade of Gas initiative. The current global push 

towards low carbon energy presents the country with 

an opportunity to harness its huge gas reserves, 

industry experts say. They note that gas will become 

the dominant fuel for generating power, especially in 

Africa and Asia, and the country needs to position itself 

to take advantage of this opportunity. 

“The AKK (Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano) gas project, when 

completed, will boost the agricultural and 

manufacturing sectors, carbon footprint as part of 

measures to reduce global warming and provide gas for 

power generation and gas-based industries,” said the 

Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Oilserv 

Group, Engr Emeka Okwuosa, on margins of the 2022 

OTC. 

“The project is important for Nigeria because the gas is 

what will help Nigeria to develop. Development cannot 

happen without energy and our largest form of energy 

in terms of availability is gas.” 

As a result of the enormous opportunities that exist in 

the exploration and production space, more Nigerians 

want to play in this aspect of the oil and gas industry. On 

June 1, 2020, the defunct Department of Petroleum 

Resources (DPR) flagged off another bid round after 

about 17 years from the last bid round, offering a total of 

57 fields located on land, swamp and shallow offshore 

terrains. 

Engr Emeka Okwuosa 

A total of 591 firms submitted expression of interest 

forms, out of which 540 were pre-qualified, while 482 

were bids submitted by 405 applicants. In mid 2021, 

DPR announced 161 companies as successful 

bidders. Some of the successful companies awarded 

letters, included: Matrix Energy, AA Rano, Andova Plc, 

Duport Midstream, Genesis Technical, Twin Summit, 

Bono Energy, Deep Offshore Integrated, Oodua Oil, 

MRS and Petrogas. 

ND Western is now the holder of a 45 percent 

Participating Interest in OML 34, in an unincorporated 

JV with Nigerian Petroleum 

Development Company Limited (NPDC) that holds 

the remaining 55 percent interest previously held 

by its parent entity, the Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation. 

Others are: North Oils and Gas, Pierport, Metropole, 

Pioneer Global, Shepherd Hill, Akata, NIPCO, Aida, YY 

Connect, Accord Oil, Pathway Oil, Tempo Oil and 

Virgin Forest, among others. 

NUPRC Awards Licences 

In June, NUPRC, the country's upstream regulator, 

awarded Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to 

the 161 successful 2020 marginal fields awardees. 

Some of the companies issued with licences include 

Ardova Plc, Matrix Energy Ltd., Sun Trust Oil Company 

Limited, Deep Offshore Integrated Service Ltd., Island 

Energy Ltd. and Sigmund Oil Field Ltd. 

Other successful companies are Shafa Exploration and 

Production Company Ltd., Emadeb Energy Ltd., Zigma 

Ltd., Inland Basin Ltd. and Petraco Oil Ltd., among 

others. 

Out of the 57 fields, 41 were fully paid for, while 37 fields 

were issued with the PPL having satisfied all conditions 

for award. 

“The implementation of the PIA 2021 is in top gear. 

Consequently, the new awardees should note that their 

assets will be fully governed by the provisions of the PIA 

2021,” said Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, 

Sylva. 

“As you develop your assets with the special purpose 

vehicles (SPVs), ensure that good oilfield practice is 

employed, environmental considerations and 

community stakeholders' management are not 

neglected. 

“It is my strong belief that the awardees would take 

advantage of the current attractive oil prices to bring 

these fields into full production within a short period to 

increase production, grow reserves and reduce cost of 

production. 

“The onboarding of new oil and gas players in the 

petroleum sector is part of this government's policy to 

encourage more indigenous participation in our 

petroleum operations.” 

The Federal Government made about N200 billion from 

the 57 oilfields, plus an additional $7 million in signature 

bonuses and others. 

The NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, 

said that the marginal fields award initiative, which 

began in 1999, was borne “out of the need to entrench 

the indigenisation policy of Government in the 

Upstream sector of the oil and gas industry and build 

local content capacity.” 

Engr Gbenga Komolafe 

According to him,“Since its inception, a total of thirty 

(30) fields have been awarded, with seventeen (17) 

currently producing. A breakdown of the allocation of 

the fields to indigenous operators is as follows: two (2) 

fields awarded in 1999, twenty-four (24) in 2003/2004, 

one (1) each in 2006 and 2007, and two (2) in 2010. Ten 

(10) years later, in 2020, fifty-seven (57) fields were put 

up for bidding.” 

With the recent issuance of licence to successful 

companies in the 2020 marginal field bid round by the 

Commission, industry experts say that the focus should 

be on increasing the country's crude crude oil 

production as well as gas. But the operators need to be 

incentivized by the Federal Government. Some of the 

things that will encourage optimal production include 

addressing the issues of insecurity, unavailability of the 

infrastructure required to control gas flaring; creating 

market for domestic gas products; and making gas 

price attractive for investors. 

Challenges 

Most of the assets up for divestment by both Shell and 

ExxonMobil may take time to bring them to their full 

production capacity. Also, insecurity has been a major 

concern for indigenous exploration and production 

companies in Nigeria. 

Vandalisation of flow lines and the export line occur 

mainly because they are easy to access by vandals, 

with the operators at a point, experiencing losses in 

excess of 30 percent. As of 2019, indigenous producers 

accounted for about 21/22 percent of daily crude oil 

production in Nigeria. The aspiration at a time by the 

NNPC was for indigenous producers to contribute 30 

percent of the total daily production. 

Two – three years ago, we were paying penalities 

for flaring gas. But we can tell you that in the next 

two months, we'll have zero flare. 

“Security is a great challenge for all the indigenous 

operators. Anybody within the swamp or land region is 

susceptible to security challenges. You have 

vandalization of flow lines and the export line because it 

is easily accessible. At a time, we experienced losses in 

excess of 30 percent, but now ranges between 20 and 

30 percent of our daily production. In value terms, we 


were losing about 20,000 barrels of crude a day. Some 

operators produce as much as 20,000 barrels per day 

and that is a viable business for them. If you are losing 

20,000 barrels of crude per day, it severely impacts 

your cash flow and the return on your investment. So, if 

the Government is able to fix the security along the 

export lines, we will be able to realize our full production 

potential and that will bring significant returns to the 

b u s i n e s s a n d N a t i o n , ” s a i d t h e M a n a g i n g 

Director/Chief Executive Officer of Eroton Exploration 

and Production Company, Ebiaho Emafo on the 

margins of the 2019 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference 

and Exhibition in Abuja. 

Ebiaho Emafo 

He added, “In the area of gas, the government 

needs to create infrastructure to transport the gas 

that we produce to the areas of utilization so we can 

have bankable opportunities where we are able to 

sell our gas and make returns on our gas 

investment. At the moment, we are restricted in 

terms of ability to sell our gas in terms of limited 

infrastructure and that is across board. 

“Again, security poses another challenge, as there 

are frequent shutdowns of the export line which 

occurs because of the oil spills that come as a result 

of the intrusions on the line by vandals. 

Sometimes, when the line is down, we are not able 

to produce neither oil nor associated gas. This year 

we have lost about 24/25 days of production 

because of sabotage on the export line. In addition, 

we have the attendant environmental challenges 

that come as a result of the pollution caused by the 

acts of sabotage and vandalization on the pipelines. 

Statistics show that most of the leakages and spills 

are as a result of vandalism and or illegal bunkering. 

This could naturally invoke a sense of aggrievement 

amongst the host communities who are 

unfortunately saddled with the negative effects of 

the pollution caused by vandals which could create 

a difficult environment for us as business to operate 

in. We have however worked closely with our 

Communities to ensure that issues like this remain 

contained as we continue to enjoy a good working 

relationship with them.” 

Apart from the issues around vandalism and oil 

theft, there is also the challenge of access to credit. 

Investment in the exploration and production of oil 

and gas is capital intensive, and there are not many 

financial options for indigenous firms locally. On the 

international scale, it is a bit difficult to secure a 

credit facility without a big guarantor, like the 

Federal Government, who will stand by the 

company seeking facility. The current global push 

towards reduction of demand for oil and gas and the 

massive shrinkage of funding could portend high 

risks for Nigerian exploration and production players 

like Seplat Energy, ND Western, Sahara Group, 

H e i r s O i l a n d G a s , a m o n g o t h e r s . 

However, speaking with Majorwaves on the margins 

of 2019 Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and 

Exhibition, on the challenges of indigenous E&P 

companies in this regard, the Head, Energy 

Covering Downstream and International Oil Trading 

within Corporate Banking Directorate, First Bank of 

Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Aina, admonished local E&P 

companies in the country to look outside of Nigeria 

while seeking credit facility to fund their projects, like 

targeting African Finance Corporation (AFC) and 

International Finance Corporation (IFC) for fund. 

But with the trend in favour of greener energy, 

access to credit from big lenders will be a big 

challenge. 

She said,” Hedging is a major requirement for most 

Reserve Based Lending financing as it provides a 

buffer to falling prices. Commercial banks generally 

are not positioned to take exploration risk due to the 

nature of our foreign currency capital which isn't 

long term. Our long term financing are usually in 

local currency. For foreign currencies, banks borrow 

the funds at an expensive cost and the tenure is 

usually short.” 

Many big lenders in Europe and the United States 

are taking steps to stop funding investment in fossil 

fuel, while others have announced plans to reduce 

the environmental impact of their financing activities 

by engaging with clients in fossil fuel-intensive 

sectors to lower their carbon footprints or stop the 

financing of certain sectors entirely. 

Another big challenge is community hostilities 

towards oil companies. However, the granting of 3 

percent allocation from the actual annual operating 

expenditure of oil companies as contained in the 

Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) may be a panacea. 

Analysts believe that the provision for host 

communities' development trusts in the PIA will 

foster sustainable prosperity, enhance peace, and 

cordial relationship between licensees and lessees, 

and the communities. 

Oluwatoyin Aina 

Decades of underinvestment in the asset cannot 

be corrected in a few months 

Pushing Forward 

With the current happenings, it appears most of the 

IOCs may leave the country. But what is more 

interesting is how Nigerian independents are 

positioning themselves to take over from them when 

they exit. 

Nigerian independents, despite all the challenges 

they are faced with, have been very resilient, and 

keep trudging forward. They are not just succeeding 

in Nigeria, they are also expanding to other oil-rich 

African countries. 

Asharami Energy Limited, the upstream subsidiary 

of Sahara Group, has made huge investments in 

three prolific onshore assets in Nigeria. The 

company has a diversified portfolio of onshore 

assets across the exploration, development and 

production stages with a large acreage located 

within a prolific and proven oil basin. It has assets in 

Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory coast. 

In 2019, First E &P was awarded Block 2, one of the 

three blocks available for bid in Ghana's keenly 

contested first licencing round, making the company 

the fifth Nigerian oil and gas exploration and 

production companies operating in Ghana. 

Other four are Amni, Oranto, Brittania-U and 

Sahara. With the inclusion of Madu field in OML 85 

in its development, First E&P expects to achieve a 

60,000 bopd production height in its operation this 

year. 

Innoson Oil & Gas Limited, announced in May that it 

has discovered gross prospective recoverable 

resources of 8.2 Tcf and 234 MMbbl of gas and 

condensate respectively, in its asset, offshore 

Sierra Leone. 

The company was awarded nine graticular 

provisional blocks in May 2020. The following year, 

the parliament of Sierra Leone ratified a petroleum 

exploration and production license in favor of IOG as 

confirmed in a letter of conveyance to IOG in April 

2021. 

“The development opportunity is currently being 

appraised. Asset evaluation, a field development 

plan, and the setup of a data room are vigorously 

pursued with the immediate objective to engage a 

farm-in partner; ideally, with the financial strength, 

technological and management competencies to 

accomplish joint discovery, development, and 

production. 

“IOG has a 100 percent working interest on the 

prospect with a 10% carried, plus an optional 5% 

paid interest(s) for the state of Sierra Leone. 

Attractive fiscal and tax regimes by the state of 

Sierra Leone offer a flexible so robust environment 

for a big take,” the company said in a statement. 

Nigerian independents are not only playing actively 

in Nigerian exploration and production space, they 

are also playing in other countries in Africa. With this 

drive, these companies are gradually shaping up as 

IOCs. 

As Shell evaluates the non-binding bids to see 

which parties to take to the next round, stakeholders 

are expectant that the deal will be beneficial to both 

Shell and the interested bidders. According to 

Bloomberg's sources, although deliberations are 

ongoing, no final agreements have been reached 

and Shell may decide not to sell the assets. 

The growth of gas reserves is a critical factor to 

achieving the Federal Government's Decade of 

Gas initiative. 


NAPE ACTIVITIES 

Conference Schedule 

NAPE Outings 

Media Reporting 

Elections 

Chapter Reports 

UAP Report 



PHOTO REPORTS 

NAPE MEMBERS AT THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS 2022 CONFERENCE IN LAGOS 

NAPE PRESIDENT AT THE ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY CORRESPONDENTS OF NIGERIA 

CONFERENCE IN LAGOS 

Dr. James Edet FNAPE, speaking at the 2022 conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of 

Nigeria (NAEC) in Lagos. Delivering his submission at the first panel session on Energy Transition: Shaping the 

future of Nigeria's energy industry, An appraisal of PIA, Evolving Benefits and Challenges 


NAPE IN THE NEWS 

Oil Theft not Responsible for Nigeria Low Oil 

Production 

Mr. Austin Avuru, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive 

Officer (CEO) of AA Holdings Limited, explained that the 

history of Nigeria oil production started from 1970 with 

traditional oil terrain in shallow offshore but the key thing is 

that over the long period of time, the country managed to 

maintain just about 2 million barrels of oil per day. 

https://www.energyfocusreport.com/oil-theft-notresponsible-for-nigeria-low-oil-production-avuru/ 

Divestment is Crucial in Nigeria’s Oil 

and Gas Industry-Sylva 

…Anticipated economic growth and 

rising global population in Asia and Africa, 

will significantly push energy demand 

upwards that renewable energy sources 

alone cannot meet demand by 2050. 

https://www.energyfocusreport.com/di 

vestment-is-crucial-in-nigerias-oil-andgas-industry-sylva/ 

FG Challenges Indigenous Oil Firms to 

Fill Void Created by Divesting IOCs 

Sylva urged the IPPG members to strive to 

move their present contribution in 

production and reserves to at least 50 per 

cent, from about 30 per cent for crude oil 

and 20 per cent for gas production, as well 

as 40 per cent andcen per cent for oil and 

gas reserves, respectively. 

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2 

022/07/22/fg-challenges-indigenous-oilfirms-to-fill-void-created-by-divestingiocs/ 

Divestment Opportunities: Indigenous 

Energy Companies are Natural 

Partners to Government – Seplat CEO 

In this era of divestments by the 

International Oil companies (IOCs) from 

Nigeria, indigenous energy companies with 

the right competences and wherewithal 

are natural partners to government in the 

quest to harness oil and gas assets, the 

Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, 

Mr. Roger Brown, has said. 

https://www.energyfocusreport.com/dive 

stment-opportunities-indigenous-energycompanies-are-natural-partners-togovernment-seplat-ceo/ 

Divestment is Crucial in Nigeria’s Oil and 

Gas Industry 

…PIA addresses critical foundation for 

industrialization and economic development of 

Nigeria. 

https://www.energyfocusreport.com/divestm 

ent-is-crucial-in-nigerias-oil-and-gas-industrysylva/ 

Seplat CEO Throws Challenge To 

Indigenous Firms Over Divested Assets 

By IOCs 

The Seplat Energy chief explained that capital 

will only travel to and stay in Nigeria when the 

investment landscape is transparent and 

stable. “Given the uncertainties, investors 

struggle to value the future –there is always 

some event that impacts value” 

https://businessstandardsng.com/seplat-ceothrows-challenge-to-indigenous-firms-overdivested-assets-by-iocs/ 

Divestment Opportunities: Indigenous 

Energy Companies are Natural Partners to 

Government – Seplat CEO 

Mr. Brown explained: “Capital will only travel to 

and stay in Nigeria when the investment 

landscape is transparent and stable. Given the 

uncertainties, investors struggle to value the 

future –there is always some event that impacts 

value. 

http://bit.ly/3J1YJ6M 


NAPE ELECTIONS 

The NAPE electoral process began on the first of March 2022, with a call for qualified and 

interested candidates to apply. The committee had to extend call for application, in an 

effort to get members to take up active volunteering/executive positions within the 

association. 

These nominated candidates were then carefully passed through the election candidacy 

guidelines after which their candidacy were then approved. 

Following the election calendar, voting commences on September 1st 2022 and is still 

ongoing. (See Election Calendar for closing date. Kindly support this electorate process 

by participating by casting your vote) 

Winners will be announced at the 2022 Annual General Meeting which will be held on 

14th November at the Annual International Conference and Exhibition. Check your 

Membership portal for more details. 


LEGEND: 

Completed 

On-going 

2022 NAPE 

Election Calendar 

Yet to commence 

March 

1 

March 

29 

March 

31 

May-June 

15 - 22 

Electoral Committee 

shall be appointed by the 

Executive Committee 

Electoral Committee 

develops Election 

timeline and seeks 

EXCO endorsement 

Announcement of 2022 

NAPE election and 

distribution of Nomination 

Forms to members (using 

email and NAPE); Forms 

will be downloadable 

online 

Return of completed 

nomination forms of 

candidates to NAPE 

Secretariat (by 

email/online only). 

EXCO 

ELECTORAL COMMITTEE 

NAPE SECRETARIAT/ELECTORAL 

COMMITTEE 

ACTIVE MEMBERS 

June 

23-30 

July-Aug 

1 - 5 

August 

5 

August 

8 

Compilation of list of 

nominated candidates. 

Screening of nominated 

candidates by Electoral 

Committee and presentation 

of the Candidates to the AC 

further screening in line 

with the NAPE 

Constitution and the 

election guidelines. 

Endorsement of nominated 

candidates by NAPE 

Executive Committee. 

Candidates notied of their 

nomination & request 

submission of 1 passportsize 

picture, prole and 300- 

word manifesto for online 

publication and email 

blasts to members; deadline 

for submission is August 11. 


COMMITTEE 


EXCO 


COMMITTEE 

August 

17 

August 

17 

August 

18-31 

Sept-Oct 

1 - 15 

Names of nominees 

published in NAPE NEWS 

Email blasts and NAPE 

website. 

Start of campaign 

Physical presentation of 

candidates (if possible) or their 

proles at August 2022 NAPE 

Monthly Technical Meeting at all 

locations: Lagos, Port Harcourt, 

Benin, Warri, Uyo/Calabar, 

Abuja, Akwa/Owerri and 

UK/Europe Chapter 

E-voting commences 

Ballot paper e-mailed to 

members on request 

Ballot paper will contain 

names of candidates in 

alphabetic order per 

elective ofce 


COMMITTEE 

NAPE SECRETARIAT 

CANDIDATES, and ELECTORAL 

COMMITEE 

NAPE SECRETARIAT 

October 

15 

October 

16-18 

October 

19-22 

November 

15 

End of Voting Exercise 

Collation of submitted 

ballot 

Ratication of results by 

Electoral committee and 

presentation to Executive 

Announcement of 

2022 NAPE Executives 

result at the AGM. 

ACTIVE MEMBERS 


COMMITTEE 



CHAIRMAN

NAPE PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES 

Visit www.conference.nape.org.ng to register for these events 


LAGOS BUSINESS MEETING 

Deepwater assets offshore of the Niger Delta have produced tremendous volumes of hydrocarbons. Quantitative 

development costs and resource estimations are driven by 3D and 4D earth and simulation models that require 

continuous tuning and modification as dynamic reservoir, and facility conditions change with time as a function of 

production. As initial conditions change and new data is collected, so does the need to adjust and improve 

subsurface models. There are many techniques for accomplishing this, each with varying levels of complexity. 

Stratigraphic relationships routinely serve as a large uncertainty in complex deepwater systems. Adding to this 

complexity is the dynamic behavior of the reservoir as continued production and secondary recovery techniques are 

employed. 

To better understand the relationship between historic production performance and the predictive accuracy of 

forward models in deepwater assets, a 3D/4D seismic analysis was performed to help characterize subsurface 

relationships to explain unpredicted injector-producer waterfront behavior. The importance of accurately 

characterizing reservoir architecture is paramount and driven by turbidite flow phase (waxing-waning flow cycles), 

aggradation rate, compensational stacking, bathymetric morphology, and grain-size. Seismic geomorphology, 

together with log-based stratigraphic approaches were applied to a mature deepwater asset to improve the 

characterization, explain unpredicted production dynamics, and assess future development opportunities. 

Results demonstrate that the reservoir is represented by thick- compensationally stacked early-stage channel 

complexes ranging from erosively confined disorganized sand-rich flow deposits in the fairway axis, to thinner laterstage 

organized levee-confined deposits along the flanks. Synchronized system tracts analysis (structural and 

Wheeler domain) togetherwith seismic attribute analyses (spectral decomposition and instantaneous attributes) reveal distinct discontinuities between adjacent channel 

complexes that tend to amalgamate and disappear updip. The down-dip separation of the erosionally confined channel complexessuggests that they are laterally 

disconnected and form preferential flow-units along the depositional axis. Consequently, the occurrence of separate down-dip flow-units directly influence the dynamics and 

direction of water movement from the aquifer and water injection wells. The integration of seismic stratigraphy and well section analysis helped define the depositional 

architecture of thereservoir which was used to identify the major stratigraphic depositional trends that constrain communication in the reservoir. 

The result of this study was used to optimize the future development strategy for this reservoir to maximize the expected ultimate recovery (EUR). These new seismic 

stratigraphic workflows provide a clear basis for future application and utility in exploration and production. 


CHAPTER TECHNICAL SESSIONS 

Abuja Chapter Technical Meeting Held Wednesday, 10th August 2022 

The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationist (NAPE) Abuja Chapter held her Q3 

Technical meeting at the PTDF office complex in Abuja. 

The technical presentation on Diagnostic Environmental Impact Footprints in a Multiplex 

Transition Era was delivered by Prof. Ogbonnaya Igwe, Dean of Faculty of Physical 

Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 

Among the participants of the technical meeting, there were representatives from the House 

of Representatives, NUPRC, NMDPRA, NOSDRA, and NGSA. 

It can be said that Data Science and Machine Learning have not only come to stay but 

will continue to evolve. Whereas the other domains and industries were quick to react 

and harness it, growing from mere blue chips to net worth of multi-billions, the oil and 

gas industry was rather slow to react. However, seeing the potential and value of 

these evolving technologies, the E&P industry has joined the bandwagon with as 

much vigor as others. This presentation explores the derivatives the E&P industry 

stands to gain from the evolution of Data Science and Machine Learning. 

Is it possible to see how machine learning can be specifically tailored to oil and gas 

use cases, learn when to use machine learning, how it is already being used, and how 

to manage the data stream going forward, etc? With the different use cases and 

examples, this presentation explains aspects of Data Science/Machine Learning in 

different oil and gas projects by showcasing several real-life case studies. It is 

expected that the audience will learn to replicate or explore new projects for their 

organizations from the presentation and equally lead their teams through the journey of Data Science project(s) in the oil and gas 

industry circumventing the pitfalls and harnessing the business values. 



AKWA/OWERRI 

CHAPTER 

The magnitude, severity and scale of environmental 

impacts correspond to the type and nature of 

stressor components. Changes in energy policies, 

demands and exploration are accompanied by 

significant environmental impacts that appear to 

alter the life cycle of people resident at or near 

specified ground zeros. 

Oil spill, for instance, has profoundly decimated 

lands, water and resources, destroyed lives and 

dreams, and derided creation and creativity. Unaware of well-defined 

environmental signatures that mirror corresponding energy attitudes, stakeholders 

and scientists have over the years lumped semi-classified impacts into a redundant 

domain in the cause and effect hypothesis. 

This lecture unbundles thelump, identifies clear-cut indicative footprints and aligns 

them with varying energy regimes within a bounded territory. It is theorized that the 

recognition of the signatures associated with contrasting energy schemes will aid 

the cleaner prediction and mitigation of potential future impacts. 

This novel model, in addition to securing lives and resources, will alsopropel the 

development of our world in a smart and sustainable pattern. 

On account of the relative ease of access to geological 

exposures on the Earth surface, the critical elements 

of a hydrocarbon system such as trap, source, 

reservoir and seal rocks, commonly complete in the 

subsurface, can be simulated on outcrop, even if as 

discrete components. Sedimentological field studies 

yield sets of data onstratigraphic sections and bed 

geometries, macroscopic textures, fabrics, mineral 

constituents, sedimentary structures, and tectonic 

configurations from which features the depositional 

environments can be diagnosed and the paleogeographic models formulated. In 

particular, reservoir attributes documented in the field and supplemented with 

laboratory analytical data, enable conceptualisation of the fluid dynamics within this 

highly compartmentalized containment component of the trapping configuration. 

The recognition of the equivalencies between the outcropping elements and their 

subsurface counterparts facilitate insight into the upstream (exploration and 

production) aspects of the petroleum industry through field and laboratory studies 

carried out at a minimum cost in a non-industrial setting, but of great help in 

assessing the technical risks and improving the accuracy of subsurface 

interpretations. This approach is recommended for exploring the Nigerian inland 

basins where outcropping lithologies and tectonic structures should constitute 

pointers to prospective hydrocarbon plays in the presently inaccessible subsurface. 

Upcoming Session 

but limited resources. 

BENIN CHAPTER 

Every discipline has been impacted over the years by 

technological advancements and geoscience is not an 

exception. New blue-chip startups emerge almost daily – 

disrupting existing norms and initialing others. Business 

owners have to adapt to new visions or align with 

technology trends to remain afloat. The difference between 

success and failure now has more to do with the extent to 

which business executives exhibit technological insight and 

foresight. E&P organizations therefore continue to hustle 

and juggle in the highly dynamic market space not just to 

avoid going sublime but to maximize revenue and optimize 

their use of limited resources to efficiently exploit available 

All these therefore come with new demands on the workforce. In this side of the world, a good 

grade out of high school is no longer enough. Employers demand resources who can add value 

from day one. There is the “added advantage syndrome”in the labour market and those who are 

able to prove that they have been in vectorial concordance with digital transformational trends 

tend to be the ones that ride these waves successfully and many grow to be captains of 

organizations and industries. 

As E&P organizations are looking for how to get affordable, reliable, sustainable energy; and 

how to do so efficiently; as considerations for carbon capture and green energy are on the rise, 

the focus turns to the geoscientist to provide for these global needs. 

The geoscientist must therefore be prepared to face the challenges ahead. This presentation 

exudes the salient demands and knowledge domains digital transformation has introduced and 

profferssolutions on how the geoscientist may be better prepared to meet the current demands 

and the challenges ahead. Participants will learn from assorted examples on the application of 

trending technologies: artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics in the 

geoscience domain. They will be informed on basic skills required to move with technological 

trends and be the geoscientist who are sought after in this digital age. 

Approximately 31% non-productive time while drilling for oil 

and gas in non-salt well have been attributed to geomechanics 

(Dodson et al. 2009).Drilling campaign in Niger Delta has been 

characterized by instability challenges such as differential 

sticking/stuck pipe, hole-collapse/pack-off, lost circulation, 

well ballooning, kicks, etc. 

According to James Dodson survey in 2007, the oil and gas 

industry loses approximately 8 billion US dollar on yearly to 

problems associated with wellbore instability. Drilling process 

involves the removal of rock materials that once supported the 

insitu stress along the borehole trajectory, leaving the rock surrounding the hole to take the load 

previously taken by the removed rock. This causes concentration of stresses around the 

wellbore and often exceed the rock strength, therefore requires enough drilling fluid support to 

avoid wellbore stability issues. Understanding of the magnitude of hoop stress along the 

wellbore is critical for selecting the optimum mud weight requires to drill successfully without 

instability. 

Addressing this instability challenge requires detailed wellbore stability analysis of various 

analogue wells, identifying why the well failed and incorporating learnings from them into 

actionable plans for new drilling campaigns. 

Since the discovery of oil by Shell BP at Oloibiri Nigeria in 

1956, after half a century of exploration activities, there has 

been recorded increase in oil and gas infrastructure attacks 

and oil-related criminal violence. All these are classified as 

outdoor crimes with its attendant exposures and have 

increased the flow of illegal crude, as such affected the 

flagging oil production in the country. The perceived rise in the 

dynamics of organized crime and environmental damage in 

the context of Nigeria's oil industry vis-a-vis the noticed 

persistent lack of security of oil and gas assets triggered this 

research. The exercise involves timely and adequately 

securing the oil and gas-related crime scene, collection of general data (date, time and place), 

geographic data (longitude, latitude, elevation, solar orientation) as well as collection of relevant 

prints and spills cum pedological and ancillary data. These datasets serve as input parameters 

into the proposed 'ibeneguzo' software package. The result would, among other things, present 

an approximate guide to identifying the person(s) around the crime scene as at crime time and 

by extension the perpetrators of such act. This software will serve as an extension and plug-in 

cum add-on to the SCADA system in use which would help in providing information for 

presentation of expert witness during trials. This will go a long way in vindicating the innocent 

and assisting the jury in delivering effective justice. 



PORT HARCOURT CHAPTER 

Exploration activities in SPDC's Shallow Water 

Offshore (SWO) acreage have focused on exploring for 

gas bearing reservoirs in deep high-pressured 

prospects to support NLNG T7 backfill. With increasing 

depth and resultant deteriorating reservoir quality, it 

becomes important to properly delineate the reservoirs 

to enable the robust volumetric estimation. In trying to 

solve this, we became increasingly aware of how much 

risks and uncertainty exists. The de-risking work 

required the need to properly integrate data and 

technology to answer the key question: If the reservoirs are present and how good are 

they in terms of reservoir quality? 

With the recently acquired OBN Seismic Data providing a substantive framework, we set 

out to understand the reservoir presence and its quality by integrating geological and 

geophysical methods with the available legacy data. This resulted in appropriate 

reservoir-seal pair definition, thickness ranges, NTG for prospective intervals, reservoir 

chance factor and ultimately an improved definition of the subsurface. We look forward to 

a successful drilling campaign which will also validate the learnings from this work in 

uncalibrated Deep Plays, helping to open a new frontier for exploration and calibrate 

parameters for subsequent exploration and development drilling. 

Exploration and Production (E&P)organizations deal 

with various data(geoscientific, engineering, structured 

and unstructured data, etc.) of different sizes/types from 

mixed sources.Each year, more data are acquired 

and/or generated, recycled, retrieved, managed and 

stored in silos or data lakes. As a result of corporate 

data growth, the demand for more storage capacities 

have been of tremendous increase. In parallel, sundry 

challenges are being introduced and carried along 

too.The include issues of streaming the data in a 

centralized storage, issues of data security, data 

quality/integrity, standardization, data exchange among different vendor applications, 

and so on.It is interesting to note that different approaches have been offered in the past 

by various organizations, however, the current dynamics in oil and gas data 

management, occasioned with the Covid-19 pandemic impact requires a thorough and indepth 

approach to managing these data. With the pandemic, organizations across the 

industry have sought solutions to relieve the pressure. The importance of good Data 

Management in the oil and gas industry cannot be over emphasized. Within the last few 

decades, organizations unwilling to adopt the best practices are lagging. 

This presentation, therefore, showcases varying solutions to the challenges above and 

much more. It is expected that the audience will find value in the solutions discussed to the 

extentof becoming obvious data management resource in their different organizations. 

UK/EUROPE 

CHAPTER 

Petroleum geochemistry improves exploration 

efficiency and production development 

strategies. Petroleum geochemistry provides 

insights in many of the variables that control the 

volumes of crude oil and natural gas available for 

entrapment, including source-rock distribution, 

richness and quality, thermal maturity, the timing 

of generation-migration-accumulation relative to 

trap formation and prediction of type of 

hydrocarbons. Petroleum Geochemistry is most powerful when used with other 

disciplines, such as seismic sequence stratigraphy, structural geology, and 

reservoir characterisation. 

Petroleum geochemistry offers rapid, low-cost evaluation tools to aid in 

understanding development and production problems. Petroleum reservoir 

geochemistry provide (1) assessment and prediction of hydrocarbons quality 

(2) evaluation of the processes that control hydrocarbon alteration in reservoirs 

(2), (3) assessment of vertical and lateral fluid continuity in a reservoir, (4) 

determination of proportions of commingled production from multiple zones 

and leaky casing, and (4) prediction of gas/oil and oil/water contact locations. 

A case study on the oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations is included in this 

presentation. 

Machine Learning (ML) is a growing technology 

that has proven to be effective and efficient. This 

research was aimed to devise ML models to 

predict the lithology of North Sea wells from well 

logs employing three (3) ML classifiers based on 

an ensemble of decision trees (Random Forest, 

Catboost and Xgboost). The dataset includes 

well logs from 118 wells in the Northern North 

Sea provided by the 2020 FORCE ML 

competition. XGBoost outperformed other ML methods as it accurately 

predicted more lithologies than other classifiers, with to total accuracy of 75% 

predicting 89% & 66% of shale & sandstone correctly . The dataset's quality is 

pivotal to the model's performance as poor data quality would output less 

accurate models and vice versa. 

Field XY is a mature oil field in the Niger Delta which has been on production since 1966. One of the major sustenance drivers for mature fields lies in 

finding ways to improve oil production at minimal cost. 

Bypassed oil was identified on producing reservoirs of Field XY using time-lapse cased-hole saturation logs. This was integrated with pressure and 

production data to analyze the behavior of the reservoirs, identify bypassed oil, and select suitable candidates for intervention, workover & infill drilling. 

Cased-hole Saturation Logging which utilizes pulsed neutron technology was key in investigating the presence of bypassed oil in the field. The tool was 

logged in several Wells behind Casing and Completion tubulars. Two main acquisition modes were used: Carbon-Oxygen (C/O) and Sigma. The C/O 

mode is hinged on the inelastic scattering of high energy neutrons by atomic nuclei resulting in the detection of atoms in the Formation. The ratio of 

Carbon to Oxygen atoms provides information about Oil saturation. The Sigma log focuses on the capture of neutrons by atomic nuclei. The hydrogen 

atom plays a significant role in this capture process and is thus linked to porosity and the current water saturation of the reservoir. The Sigma method is 

sensitive to the salinity of the Formation and works better at higher salinities. The C/O method works independent of salinity. 

The logging context was an environment of low Water salinity. The Sigma log gave good indication of Water saturation in Gas-bearing intervals but was not robust enough to discriminate 

between Oil and Water due to low salinities. The C/O log was effective in computing Oil saturations. 

Rigless interventions were successfully carried out in identified bypassed areas and infill drilling has been proposed based on the result of the cased-hole saturation logging and reservoir 

synthesis. 



This work attempts to define the continent –ocean 

crustal boundary (COB) offshore the Niger delta 

(southeast sector) using aeromagnetic data.The 

o 

study area is located within longitude 6-8 E, and 

o 2 

latitude 3-5 N and is about 50, 625 km .The delta 

formed following the Mesozoic rifting of the Atlantic 

and has a total stratal thickness of about 12 km 

overlying the basement.These consist of 

continental, parrallic and marine Formations. The 

total intensity magnetic data over the study area 

th 

were subjected to reduction to pole and 4 degree polynomial filtering. These 

generated magnetic stripes (seafloor spreading anomalies)and deep seated 

basement magnetic signatures respectively. 

An isometric projection of the total intensity magnetic anomaly map of the area was 

also produced. Based on distinct magnetic signatures from the three data sets, over 

onshore and offshore zones, the continental crust (granitic), transitional zone and 

oceanic crust (basaltic) in the study area are mapped. COB delimitation is of 

profound importance in determining limits of hydrocarbon generation zones in 

offshore basins. 

The more the granitic crust advances seaward the higher the hydrocarbon 

generation potential of the basin. From this work the COB is delimited to be circa 70 

km in the west, and 100 km in the east from the coast line of the data. 

WARRI CHAPTER 

acceptable would be ideal. 

UYO/CALABAR 

CHAPTER 

The importance of rock property prediction using 

seismic data can never be over emphasis. With 

the advent of Deep Learning approaches, the task 

of finding patterns over seismic data becomes 

feasible, enabling geoscientists to execute their 

prediction with very confident results. A deep 

learning approach capable of training well data 

and applying on the entire seismic volume, looking 

at patterns on the dataset, instead of modelling a 

seismic trace is the next step on any rock property 

is the core of this approach. 

Carbon dioxide (CO 2) in the atmosphere has 

increased dramatically and faster than any time 

reported in history. The storage of large volumes of 

CO 2 in deep geological formations is one of the most 

promising climate mitigation options. The long-term 

retention time and environmental safety of the CO 2 

storage are defined by the interaction of the injected 

CO 2 with the reservoir fluids and rocks. Finding a 

s t o r a g e r e s e r v o i r t h a t i s l o n g l a s t i n g , 

thermodynamically stable and environmentally 

Storage of CO 2 as solid carbonates in basaltic rocks may provide such a long-term 

and thermodynamically stable solution. Mineral carbonation in basaltic rock offers a 

permanent storage solution to mitigate anthropogenic CO 2 emissions in the 

atmosphere. Basaltic rocks, consisting of magnesium and calcium silicate minerals, 

provide alkaline earth metals necessary to form solid carbonates. 

The CarbFix CO 2 pilot project in Iceland and Wallula project, USA have shown great 

potential for CO 2 storage. However, accessing the integrity of any basaltic reservoir 

for permanent storage is of great importance in every CO 2 storage site. 

Flow assurance in oil and gas production 

encompasses the thermal-hydraulic design 

a n d a s s e s s m e n t o f m u l t i p h a s e 

production/transport systems as well as 

prediction, prevention, and remediation of flow 

constraints due to pressure drop, hydrates 

formation, wax precipitation, and asphaltenes 

sedimentation. Given the boundary conditions 

at the wellhead, severaldeliverables such as 

pipeline sizing,heat transfer, multiphase flow regimes, erosion, and 

corrosion predictions are deployed to ensure that the fluid produced from 

the reservoir is delivered successfully at the point of sales. 

However, the flow assurance gains are often reversed in the intermediary 

host facilities such as crude oil storage tanks where pressure declines, 

temperature fluctuates; asphaltenic and paraffinic components of the 

crude oil, water-in-oil, and oil-in-water emulsions create suitable 

conditions for sludge deposition. 

This presentation provides an integrated approach to multiphase flow 

problems, including storage facilities using an experimental method and 

computational fluid dynamics to investigate the impact of hydrodynamics 

in the storage facilities in preventing sludge deposition; a promising 

approach that is proven to significantly improve profit margins in oil 

production. 

Exploration and Production (E&P) data 

management approach has been dynamic, 

evolving from a side-lined process for 

interpreters, drilling and reservoir engineers to a 

business focal point in the asset-based, 

multidisciplinary team approach to reservoir 

development. Some challenges associated with 

proper date management in our industry may 

include data fidelity/ preservation / access/ 

integration/ analytics/ etc. And the salient 

questions to these challenges may include but not limited to, what solutions 

exist to address the issues? What frameworks and practices are emerging? 

what can be done to optimize existing workflows and get fit for the future? Etc. 

These and many other answers will be provided in this presentation for a better 

understanding of data management solutions in the industry. Furthermore, the 

presentation will discuss the trending data management activities in the oil and 

gas industry. The enhancers and inhibitors, the gains and pains, the ways and 

means of getting aligned with the trend, and so on. Cloud solutions and 

emerging platforms, standards, and regulations with regards to E&P data are 

also highlighted. 

Like every other practice and discipline, data management in the E&P industry 

has gone beyond the norms of yester years. If an E&P organization must 

succeed, it has to look closely at its past and existing methodologies of data 

management to ensure it aligns with current trends and future requirements. A 

lot of organizations are now looking at, not just how their data gets managed but 

who (with what skill sets) is managing it. The reasons are not farfetched, 

organizations want to derive insight from their historical and acquired data as 

fast as possible. Managing data in this era of Big Data requires new computing 

methodologies, new hosting solutions, new plugins for enhancement and 

state-of-the-art disaster recovery solutions. E&P organizations desire to be as 

agile as the blue chips. A downtime of just a minute could lead to unimaginable 

values of NPT for larger organizations and this could directly or indirectly affect 

bottom line and profitability of the organization. 

Access all past recordings of NAPE Technical/ 

Business meetings via the NAPE YouTube page. 

Click Here 


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NAPE-YP ACTIVITY REPORT 

Geostatistical methods. Participants also shared 

their expectation from the course. The interactive 

session was filled with several contributions, 

questions and comments from the participants. 

The session ended at about 4:00pm. 

NAPE-YP has identified the need to equip her 

members with trainings for Explorationistsin the 

Oil & Gas industry hence, the Technical Capacity 

Building Training 2022. 

The first Technical Capacity Building Training 

was on "Volumetric Evaluation: Essentials for 

Young Professionals".Thistraining was 

handled by Mr. Johnbosco Uche, the Manager, 

Energy Transition Business Opportunity – Shell 

Nigeria and lasted for two days (30 and 31 July, 

2022). 

th 

The first session, which held on Saturday, 30 

July 2022,commenced at 1:00pm with an 

introduction from the organizers and then the 

speaker. The session covered the overview of 

Petroleum Elements and Volumetric Estimation. 

It was a practical class as there were hands-on 

exercises. The session ended at about 4:00pm. 

Image 1& 2: Mr. Uche during his presentation 

The second session, which held on Sunday, 31st 

July 2022, started at 1:00pm with a re-cap of the 

previous day. The concepts of Uncertainties & 

Risking and a synopsis of Economics were 

covered. At the end of the lecture, the YP lead 

(Ifeanyi Ikueze) and the Deputy-YP Lead (Flora 

Anusiobi) gave the vote of thanks. 

The two-day training was knowledge-filled as 

participants were better equipped on the concept 

of Volumetric Estimation and Petroleum 

Economics. 

Image 3 & 4: Snapshots of comments 

About 50 participants registered for this course; 

they were added to a WhatsApp group where 

interaction with the instructor and fellow 

participants continued. Certificates were 

awarded to participants. 

Constructing a 3D geological model is a widely 

used modern tool to understand hydrocarbon 

reservoirs at static conditions using their lithology 

and fluid properties. The reservoir model is 

significant to foretell the behavior of reservoirs 

because it integrates much information within the 

structural framework and stratigraphic layers. It 

also displays the distributions of inter-well 

properties like porosity, permeability and water 

saturation. 

This two-day NAPE-YP Technical Capacity 

Building Training was on "Basic Principles of 

3D Geological Modeling and Inter-Well 

Property Prediction" and was delivered by 

Ebere Benard (PhD), Lead Geoscientist, Seplat 

Energy. 

r d 

The first day (Saturday, 3 September 

2022)commenced at 1:00pm with a welcome 

address from the organizers and then the 

speaker. The instructor shared the outline of the 

training which covered Introduction to 3D 

Geological modeling, sedimentary environments 

& Processes, Concept of facies and then 

Image 1& 2: Images from Dr. Benard’s presenta on 

Day 2 of the training held on Sunday, 4th 

September 2022 and started at 1:00pm with a recap 

of the previous day. Seismic attributes and 

3D geological modeling were covered with case 

studies. Questions were asked during the 

session which helped participants have better 

understanding of the subject matter. 

This two-day course had participants affirm to the 

fact that their expectations were met and were 

willing to practice knowledge gained in their 

respective jobs/careers. 

Image 3 & 4: Snapshots from the course 

About 35 participants registered for this course. 

Certificates were awarded to participants. 


INAUGURATION OF THE NAPE STUDENT MEMBER 

CHAPTER ON THE 29TH of JULY, 2022 

AT MOUNTAIN TOP UNIVERSITY, 

PRAYER CITY, OGUN STATE 

The Nigerian Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists (NAPE) inaugurated 

Mountain Top University Students' Chapter 

on the 29th of July, 2022. The Head of 

D e p a r t m e n t o f G e o s c i e n c e s , D r . 

Oluwatimilehin Benjamin Balogun and other 

staff members received the NAPE 

representatives on arrival. The NAPE team, 

ably represented by Mr. Phillip Ajaebili, 

NAPE UAP Chairman; Mrs Nonye Niyi- 

Afolabi, NAPE Assistant General Secretary; 

Mr. Lawrence Osuagwu, Acting Head NAPE 

Secretariat; and Ms Abieyuwa Ogbebor, 

Technical/Membership Officer, paid a 

courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, 

Professor Elijah Ayolabi and other 

management staff of Mountain Top 

University. The Vice Chancellor, Professor 

Elijah Ayolabi, introduced himself and the 

management staff and thanked NAPE 

representatives for the visit. “Though the 

geoscience department was established 

recently, it has been able to achieve great 

feats as evidenced by 2nd position in Africa 

for the IBA 2020 competition”, he said. In 

response, Mr. Phillip Ajaebili, NAPE UAP 

Chairman, introduced the NAPE team and 

further expatiated on the role of NAPE as a 

link between the academia and the 

petroleum industry. Before Mr. Phillip 

Ajaebili presented a gift of NAPE chestpinbadge 

to all the management staff present, 

he thanked MTU management for the warm 

reception stating that the Vice Chancellor, 

Professor Ayolabi, has contributed 

immensely to NAPE. 

The NAPE team then proceeded to the 

College of Basic and Applied Sciences 

(CBAS), first to the Head of Department of 

Geosciences' office and thereafter to the 

venue of the inauguration. The programme 

started with opening prayers said by Dr. 

Michael Olajide Okunubi, a geophysicist, 

followed by opening remarks by Dr. Atunima 

Jonathan, MTU NAPE Advisor. In his 

remarks, Dr. Jonathan highlighted the role 

of NAPE in geoscience education in Nigeria 

and the benefits of having a NAPE Chapter. 

Mr. Phillip Ajaebili added and elaborated on 

it. Mr. Phillip encouraged the students, using 

several practical examples, to have 

personal vision and the discipline to achieve 

s u c h d r e a m s . H e r e i t e r a t e d t h a t 

opportunities abound for the hard-working 

geoscientists. 

In addition, Ms Abieyuwa Ogbebor, 

Technical/Membership Officer, prompted 

the students and staff members to stay 

close to NAPE. She emphasized on the 

need to attend NAPE conferences and 

workshops and be up to date with the annual 

membership dues. Mrs Nonye Niyi-Afolabi, 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

NAPE Assistant General Secretary 

reassured the students that there is room for 

everyone, both young and old are free to 

participate in NAPE. Mr. Lawrence assured 

the audience that NAPE staff are available 

and willing to help should a need arise. 

Finally, Mr. Phillip and the entire NAPE team 

formally inaugurated NAPE MTU Student 

Chapter and presented NAPE MTU Student 

Chapter plaque to the NAPE Advisor, Dr. 

Atunima Jonathan. Mr. Phillip further 

presented NAPE student certificates to the 

registered students. NAPE never failed to 

demonstrate her kindness as the NAPE 

team presented a donation of geoscience 

literature including books and journals 

(attached) to the geoscience department. 

In his closing remarks, the Head of 

Geosciences Department, Dr. Balogun, 

expressed his gratitude to NAPE and the 

representatives for continued collaboration 

with the department. He also expressed his 

expectations and better involvement of 

NAPE in the geoscience education of the 

students. He then wished the NAPE officials 

and other members a safe return journey. 

The closing prayer was said by Mr. A.O. 

Alao. 

Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, VC, MTU, welcoming the NAPE team 

nd 

Mr. Phillip Ajaebili (2 R), NAPE UAP Chair, responding to 

the VC’s welcome message 

Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, VC, being decorated by Ms Abieyuwa Ogbebor 

and Mr. Phillip Ajaebili 

A cross-section of MTU Geoscience Students with the NAPE team 

Dr. Atunima Jonathan (L) receiving NAPE Student Chapter 

certificate from Mr. Phillip Ajaebili 

MTU Management Staff and the NAPE Representatives 


Dr. Oluwatimlehin B. Balogun, HOD Geosciences Ms Abieyuwa Ogbebor, NAPE Technical/Membership Officer Mr. Phillip Ajaebili presenting NAPE Certificate of membership to Mr. Lawrence Osuagwu giving his speech and seated is 

Miss Praise Ogunleye-Segun 

Mrs. Nonye Niyi-Afolabi 

List of Books, Journals and Bulletins Donated by NAPE during the Chapter Inauguration 

Books 

S/N Title Authors Publisher Series Publictn 

Yr 

1 Upper Cretaceous 

Sequences in the Southern 

Bida Basin, Nigeria 

Akande, S. O.; 

Ojo, O. J. and 

Ladipo, K. O. 

Mosuro 

Publishers, 

Ibadan 

NAPE 

Geological Field 

Guide 01 

2005 

2 A guide to preparing 

Geosciences Research 

Proposals 

Journals 

A. Idowu 

Olayinka 

Mosuro 

Publishers, 

Ibadan 

NAPE Research 

Publication 

S/N Title Publisher Year Volume Issue Copies 

1 Nigerian Petroleum Nigerian Association of 2020 3 2 2 

Business Bulletin Petroleum Explorationists 

(NAPE) 

2 NAPE Bulletin Nigerian Association of 2019 28 1 2 


(NAPE) 

3 NAPE Bulletin Nigerian Association of 2019 28 2 2 


(NAPE) 

4 NAPE Bulletin Nigerian Association of 


(NAPE) 

2021 30 2 2 

5 NAPE News 

(Magazine) 

6 NAPE News 


7 NAPE News 


8 NAPE News 


9 NAPE News 


Fliers 

Nigerian Association of 


(NAPE) 



(NAPE) 



(NAPE) 



(NAPE) 



(NAPE) 

2006 

Sept., 2019 2 

2019 

2 

Conference 

Edition 

April, 2020 2 

Aug., 2020 2 

2021 

Conference 

Edition 

1. Fliers for the 40th Annual International Conference and Exhibition/call for abstracts (55 copies) 

2. 10 copies of NAPE AICE 2022 Registration (as part of 40th Annual International Conference and 

Exhibition events). 10 copies 

NAPENEWS AUG/SEPT 2022 64 

2

Practical Skillset for Young Professionals to 

Advance their Career in an Energy Transiting 

21st Century 

“Times have changed”, we commonly say; with this requiring equivalent changes to the way a number of things are done in those times. 

Over the years, accompanying each passing century are new and/or improved ways of carrying out various activities, to thrive in that space of time. Hence, 

it's imperative for young professionals to stay abreast of these new/improved approaches to stay afloat in a very competitive and fast-moving world. 

The transition of dominant energy sources from one or more sources to another or others is not immune to this evolution through centuries, although this 

happened slowly over time (Figure 1). From Figure 1 below, traditional biomass (i.e. the burning of solid fuels such as crop waste, charcoal or wood) was 

the dominant source of energy worldwide until the mid-19th century, which saw the rise of coal as a result of the industrial revolution. This was then followed 

by oil, gas and hydropower in the 20th century. The inclusion of nuclear energy in the energy mix happened in the 1960s, while the likes of solar and wind 

energy were added in the 1980s. 

The 21st century has witnessed a great deal of push to switch the world's energy source from fossil fuels to an energy mix dominated by low-carbon 

sources of energy (i.e. renewable technologies and nuclear power). This is driven by environmental concerns (the quest to have cleaner/green energy), 

technological advancement, changes in economic and political landscape, and demand for greater convenience. 

For Young Professionals to thrive in a uniquely 

challenging massive energy transiting world, 

which is yet full of opportunities, reskilling will be 

required in a number of computer and 

mathematical skills, as well as other areas such 

as construction, installation, maintenance and 

transportation, and to perform site selections and 

assessments (Harper & Merten, 2021). In 

comparison to training, reskilling requires some 

degree of behavioural change. 

According to the 2020 EY Report on O&G Digital 

Transformation and the Workforce, the oil and 

gas sector has a gap between skill importance 

and current maturity for some computer/digital 

skills that is startling: 

Ÿ Digital engineering – 68% importance vs 

31% maturity. 

Ÿ Data science – 85% importance vs 23% 

Ÿ 

maturity. 

Artificial intelligence – 68% importance 

vs 9% maturity. 

Ÿ Data analytics – 91% importance vs 32% 

maturity (Harper & Merten, 2021). 

In as much as the current energy transition is a 

and will be an ongoing effort, it's already ramping 

Figure 1: Global primary energy consumption by source (Ritchie, Roser, Rosado, 2020); After Smil 

(2016) and BP (2021). 

up in major ways. According to the International 

Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), employment in the renewable sector hit 11 million jobs in 2018, compared to the 10.3 million jobs in 2017; with solar 

photovoltaic employing the most, followed by liquid biofuel, hydropower, and wind energy. 

Transiting to renewable energy sources doesn't imply beginning from scratch as overlap lies in a number of areas. An example lies between offshore oil 

and wind: the existing experience and operations of building offshore oil platforms can be leveraged for offshore wind services, such as, construction and 

maintenance, having significant synergies with the offshore oil and gas sector. Also, important scientific data (such as geoscience and environmental data) 

will be required to select sites for offshore wind projects and to determine feasibility. 

The world is indeed evolving, same as the opportunities that lie therein, hence, it's imperative for young professionals to acquire the skills required in a fastchanging 

and competitive world to advance their career. 

Works Cited 

BP. (2021). Statistical Review of World Energy . London: Whitehouse Associates. 

EY. (2020, July 05). Oil and Gas Digital Skills Survey . Retrieved April 04, 2022, from EYh:t tps://ey.com/oilandgas/digitalskills 

Harper, J., & Merten, S. (2021, June 16) . Engineers and geoscientists need new skills for a r enewable future, Retrived April 04, 2022, from 

https://www.elsevier.com/connect/engineers-need-new-digital-skills-for-a-future-in-renewable-energy. 

Ritchie, H., Roser, M., & Rosado, P. (2020 ) . Our World in Data. Retrieved April 04, 2022f,rom https://ourworldindata.org/energy 

Smil, V. (2016, December 14). Vaclav Smil. Retrived April 04, 2022, from https://vaclavsmil.com/2016/12/14/energy-transitions-global-and-nationalperspectives-second-expanded-and-updated-edtion/ 


PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Mr. Uche JohnBosco - Committee Lead 

Mrs. Olajumoke Ajayi 

Mr. Obinna Okoli 

Mr. Emmanuel Egbele 

Mr. Chukwuemeka Odebeatu 

Mr. Osim Ogboke 

Ms. Cynthia Ike

NAPENews Magazine September 2022 Edition

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