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The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has announced that it is equipping its members for the decarbonisation of the African petroleum sector in response to the challenges posed by the global energy transition movement.
The organization emphasized that decarbonising fossil fuels is essential for advancing the continent with accessible and affordable energy. It also expressed concern over the significant resource wastage in Nigeria’s oil sector, highlighting that inadequate infrastructure and low industrial capacity result in a minimal utilization of the gas produced.
The engineers voiced their worries about the substantial outflow of skilled labor from Africa, cautioning that the mass emigration of young talent is leading to serious skills shortages, which hinders the development of local capacities necessary for industrial growth.
The Africa Regional Director of SPE, Riverson Oppong, who recently visited Nigeria, remarked that the global demand for oil and gas underscores the need for technology to mitigate the carbon footprints of the industry.
He noted that the current net-zero goals in the global climate initiative reflect a shift from energy transition to energy transformation.
During his participation in the inaugural Oilda Fireside Chat held in Lagos, Riverson explained that the focus has shifted from moving away from fossil fuels to the industry's decarbonisation.
The Oilda Fireside Chat serves as an executive media platform for industry leaders to exchange insights and experiences on critical topics within the evolving energy landscape.
Oppong highlighted the influence of geopolitics on Africa, stating that the energy transition is increasing production demands on the continent as African nations strive to fully capitalize on the economic advantages of their petroleum resources. This scenario presents a challenge for industry professionals to develop technologies and practices that align with decarbonisation goals.
Hailing from Ghana, Oppong mentioned that his country is actively pursuing clean energy initiatives driven by cost efficiency and emphasized that Ghana's petroleum sector is designed to optimize the use of gas resources, minimizing waste.
In light of the extensive waste of gas resources in Nigeria and elsewhere on the continent, Oppong urged African governments to expedite the industrialization of their economies, ensuring effective utilization of the continent's abundant natural gas resources, asserting that petroleum is still the most viable energy source to foster the continent’s industrial development.
