Yemisi Izuora
Seven young Nigerian engineers and geologists have graduated in Directional Drilling and Evaluation Services (DD/MWD) and Electric Wireline Evaluation Services (EWL) for which the trainees collectively received 18 international certifications from reputable European organisations.
The exercise was conducted by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Limited and Geoplex Drillteq Limited.
Under the contractual framework provided by SNEPCO, Directional Drilling and Evaluation exposed the trainees to jar maintenance, bottom-hole assembly components, measurement-while-drilling principles, formation integrity and leak-off test procedures.
For Electric Wireline Services, they had hands-on training on wireline logging, cement evaluation, perforation operations, pressure-control equipment, and rig-up and rig-down activities.
The Director, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of the NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, represented by the Deputy Manager in the unit, Mr. Tareowei Bufazi, noted with satisfaction that the trainees had a detailed curriculum for the two programmes implemented concurrently under the SNEPCO contracts.
He described the classroom sessions of the programmes and the on-the-job training in live projects as rigorous, pointing out that trainees have been adequately prepared for major opportunities globally and Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) that are coming on stream.
He told the graduands that the knowledge, skills and certifications they have acquired should serve as “a foundation for continuous learning and professional growth,” and that they would be remembered for problems they are able to solve, standards they are able to uphold, and value they create.
“The world you are entering is competitive, demanding, and constantly evolving,” he explained, adding, “you have already proven that you can rise above challenges….Be courageous enough to seize opportunities and resilient enough to overcome setbacks.”
The CBD boss commended SNEPCO for their commitment to the successful implementation of the programme and for investing in the development of Nigerian talent. He also thanked Geoplex and Arewa Innovative Solutions for their respective roles.
Earlier in opening remarks, Mr. Kingsley Erhunmwunsee, of SNEPCO Limited, stated that his company treats local content as an investment in Nigeria’s future, and not just as a regulatory obligation. He emphasised that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry needs highly skilled people who can operate safely, solve complex problems, embrace new technologies and deliver world-class performance.
According to him, “Developing that capability within Nigeria strengthens not only individual careers, but also our companies and the Nigerian economy.” He expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for its sustained efforts in local content development and for the support it provided toward the successful implementation of the training programme.
In another address, the Vice President-Business Development, of Geoplex Drillteq Limited, Mr. Akeem Raji, described the close-out ceremony as “a celebration of learning, professional development, collaboration and a shared commitment to building sustainable Nigerian capacity within the oil and gas industry.”
He said at Geoplex, the Management believes that “sustainable Nigerian Content Development must translate into measurable technical capability, recognized qualifications and improved employability,” and that the real value of training becomes evident when the knowledge and experience acquired are applied safely, competently and productively within the industry.
Like his counterpart in SNEPCO, he expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for its leadership, its oversight and continued commitment to developing Nigerian capacity in the oil and gas sector.
International certifications received by the seven graduands were from the United Kingdom-based National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), and Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO).