Opinion
Can AI boost Nigeria’s oil, gas production?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making inroads into the Nigerian oil and gas sector, with potential for transforming the energy space by increasing the nation’s crude production levels
Although apprehensions exist, AI is currently being deployed to inspect pipelines, predict equipment failures, optimise production processes, monitor environmental impact, identify new reserves, and enhance safety among other complex assignments.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has again scored another first with the introduction of Unmanned Surface Vessels (Water Drone) in its operations.
The SPDC pioneered the nation’s oil industry 1956 with the discovery of in commercial quantity at Otuabagi, a settlement in the Oloibiri District in present day Bayelsa.
Following the development, stakeholders have called for caution in the deployment of artificial intelligence and technologies, saying it may lead to job losses in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
The stakeholders’ is sequel to the Feb. 27 announcement by SPDC that it has introduced surface water drone for pipeline survey in its shallow water operations.
Shell had said it had deployed an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) for pipeline route survey in the Niger Delta.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the USV, a water surface drone, could be used for underwater pipelines examination and integrity assessment among others.
SPDC announced the innovation, the first in Nigeria’s oilfields, in a statement by its Media Relations Manager, Mrs Abimbola Essien-Nelson.
According to the energy firm, the USV saves time and cost as well as reduces exposure to personnel and environment.
”Last month, the remotely operated USV conducted a pipeline route survey at Bonny for a total of 166 hours.
”It is the first deployment of an USV for a pipeline route survey in shallow water in Nigeria and the longest such single mission in the Shell Group,” Essien-Nelson said.
She quoted Mr Steve Keedwell, Chief Surveyor and Head of Offshore Survey Operations, SPDC, as describing the deployment of the USV as the new face of survey in Nigeria.
According to her, on-site and remote operators deployed the USV.
”We recorded increased productivity and better data acquisition at the survey at Bonny.
”Deploying the USV reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 97 per cent because the vehicle is designed as diesel electric.
”The efficiency of data acquisition coupled with improved data quality whilst reducing personnel exposure to zero is transforming how we execute surveys,” she said.
She further said that SPDC partnered with different stakeholders such as Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services and the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board on the initiative.
Others were the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
She said in furtherance of its Nigerian content development programme, SPDC worked closely with a Nigerian vendor, Compass Survey Limited, which deployed the vessel with support from their foreign partners and Unmanned Survey Solutions, UK.
Essien-Nelson also quoted SPDC’s General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, ‘Lanre Olawuyi, as saying the vendor was training on-site remote operators to build local capacity.
”This is an exciting chapter in our efforts to develop Nigerian content in the conduct of surveys,” Olawuyi said.
Olawuyi added that the innovation in the survey at Bonny was attracting interests from the oil and gas industry and beyond.
”We will continue to support Nigerian companies in the domestication of technology and innovations,” he said.
On job losses, SPDC allayed fears of job losses, saying the USV creates jobs at the remote control centre where data from the unmanned vessel is received and processed.
But Peter Akpenka, a labour leader, holds that the incursion of AI into the oilfields will complement the human factor.
Akpenka, a former branch Chairman of Contract Workers Branch of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Qua Iboe oil fields said that smart machines and tools in AI should not be allowed to replace human intelligence.
“That is complementary to human inspection which comes with its own challenges.
“But anything to give better protection to the already endangered environment ought to be supported. We need more help to protect the environment, not less.
“Even the drone will be operated by humans and even the decision and analysis of the drone inspection will also have human intervention.
“I think rather new skills and training will be needed for the labour required to operate the drone and also interpret and decide on the results,” Akpenka said.
Akpenka therefore thinks the introduction of the unmanned vessel by Shell is a welcome development, provided local staff will be trained to handle the drones.
He said that it would be an added skill for Nigerian oil sector workforce and such labour too could be deployed globally.
Dr Nnimmo Bassey, an environmentalist, who welcomed the application of drone technology for underwater pipeline monitoring, but said the claim it would produce 97 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions was bogus.
”The drones can be good for monitoring pipelines for defects, leakages, and corrosion or illegal activities.
”To say that they lead to 97 per cent carbon dioxide emission reduction is a vacuous claim that can only be made by carbon speculators seeking profit rather than halting pollution.
”The drones whether subsea or above water cannot in any way eliminate human agency in halting harmful activities,” he said.
However, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PTAN) says that realising the nation’s oil production target is dependent on the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in the Nigerian oil and gas industry
PETAN Chairman, Nicolas Odinuwe, said at a recent industry forum several PETAN member companies were leading the way in rendering services using new technology trends.
“PETAN sees the adoption of AI and other digital technologies as crucial for improving efficiency and competitiveness in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
“It is therefore imperative to give AI a chance to improve and solve the identified challenges confronting the Nigerian energy space’’, he said.
In a sector characterised by theft and unwholesome practices, it is believed that AI and other new technologies will help to boost production and secure jobs thereby contributing enabling the sector to contribute more to the nation’s economy. (NAN Features)
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.