Dr. Victor Ekpenyong, CEO of Kenyon International, advocates for Nigeria to utilise its existing oil fields to improve production and effectively meet its refining needs. During his speech at the Oil Well Intervention Conference (OWIWA 2024), Ekpenyong made a strong statement, highlighting Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for West Africa’s Leading Well Intervention Conference. He emphasised the significant opportunity presented by the nation’s unused brownfield sites, formerly used oil fields that are now overlooked or not in use, to increase the country’s diminishing oil production and refining ability.
This comes especially at a time when the downstream sector is completely deregulated, and Petroleum price Subsidies have been eliminated. Nigeria possesses many untapped brownfield sites that, through appropriate policy adjustments, investments, and technological advances, could be transformed to improve oil production capacities, as he stated. Utilising these unused resources allows for improved oil production levels, meeting the rising need for processed goods within the community, decreasing reliance on imported products, conserving foreign currency, and enhancing the stability of energy resources.
Brownfields offer an increase in productivity and drive economic expansion.
Kenyon International is in charge of redeveloping brownfield sites in the country. By introducing cutting-edge technologies and leveraging their expertise, the company has transformed several sites in the country, increasing production efficiency and boosting economic gains. Brownfields offer many advantages, such as increasing productivity, generating employment opportunities, cultivating regional skills, and driving economic expansion. In addition, they help reduce environmental impact compared to building on new greenfield locations, which aligns with global Sustainability objectives. The CEO stressed the significance of teamwork among government officials, private industries, and communities at the grassroots level to maximise the possibilities offered by brownfields.
Also, collaborating to revitalise stagnant industries through Investment and Innovation will enhance the country’s economic growth. To facilitate this transformation, they must establish a conducive atmosphere. Kenyon International is dedicated to spearheading this effort, utilising its vast knowledge and advanced Technology to combat Oil Theft and vandalism through spill containment, wildfire prevention, and well restoration for increased production. He mentioned that the company had implemented anti-theft measures to prevent outside tampering, revive dormant well assets, and increase production to maximise the potential of the country’s brownfields.
Collaboration with skilled contractors is essential to address key issues.
He stated that operators have been advised to uphold top industry standards by collaborating with skilled contractors and utilising new technologies to address key issues in brownfield assets. One of the top energy servicing companies in the country is International West Africa Company Limited, known for its rapid growth and extensive technical knowledge. The company specialises in services like well intervention, including e-line, slick line, coiled tubing services, well remediation, well control, and idle well management services, and plays a crucial role in the energy sector.
The company has led various essential tasks, such as converting wells, operating casing runs on a wild cat well, recovering slots on AMKP110, installing emergency casing head housing slips on AMKP1:24, performing well work-overs, and drilling and completing wells at OML99. Kenyon completed a comprehensive operation on AKASO04, providing specialised services like sealant technology for domestic and foreign clients. Notable achievements include effectively containing and resolving two significant Oil Spills at Oloibiri 04 in Bayelsa as well as SBAR01 in Nembe, Bayelsa’s Santa Barbara River.
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Overall, the emphasis on leveraging brownfield sites underscores a forward-thinking approach to Sustainable Development within Nigeria’s oil sector. By prioritising the redevelopment of these existing sites, the nation can mitigate the environmental footprint associated with new explorations while revitalising local economies through job creation and skill development. This strategic move aligns with global sustainability goals and provides a pragmatic solution to enhancing domestic oil production amid regulatory changes. As they continue to spearhead this initiative, the collaborative efforts between government entities, private sectors, and local communities will transform the energy landscape, ensuring long-term Economic Stability and energy security.