By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has called for a partnership with Aradel Holdings Plc to reduce the country’s high oil production costs.
This call was made by the Chairman of PETAN, Mr Wole Ogunsanya, when he led a delegation of the group to a courtesy visit to the chief executive of Aradel Holdings, Mr Adegbite Falade, in Lagos.
Mr Ogunsanya stated that PETAN members, with decades of experience in the industry, have all the equipment required to boost oil production in the country.
He said: “Nigeria’s cost of production compared to many countries is too high and at PETAN, we feel that we have the responsibility to bridge the gap of cost production and cost of sales through collaboration with the government, the regulators and producers like you.
“In the next few years, nearly 70 per cent of onshore assets will be owned by Nigerians, and PETAN has the strategy to maximize the footprints from these assets through a well-articulated partnership model that integrates funding strategies and cost-saving technologies and know-how.”
Recognising the need for concerted efforts to revamp the economy through increased oil production, Mr Ogunsanya pledged PETAN’s all-encompassing and overreaching capacity which its members have garnered over the decades on the local content journey to ramp up oil and gas production for the country at reduced costs of drilling and production.
He added that PETAN would like to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aradel in order to pursue and realise the partnership.
He stressed the need for all stakeholders to work towards eliminating the existence and impact of portfolio companies in the industry.
The PETAN delegation was warmly received by the Managing Director/CEO of Aradel Plc, Mr Adegbite Falade, in company of some members of the Board and management of Aradel, including the Independent non-executive Director former of Aradel, Ms Patricia Simon-Hart.
Responding to PETAN’s submissions, Mr Falade expressed delight that PETAN remains a dependable partner in the oil and gas industry, noting that it was gratifying to hear the aspirations of PETAN, which aligns with the Federal Government’s vision, and by extension, other operating companies in the industry, including Aradel.
“From our humble beginnings, we have progressed to greater levels in oil and gas production and processing than earlier anticipated. With a good number of divestments that are about to be concluded, presenting opportunities in the industry and to be run by Nigerians for Nigerians, there is a greater need for synergy between the new operators, including Aradel and PETAN as technical oilfield services providers,” he said.
Continuing, he assured us that Aradel is committed to deepening the existing working relationship with PETAN members and providing critical services to the organisation.
He congratulated and thanked the newly elected executives of the association who have renewed advocacy around helping Nigeria recover from recurrent losses on oil production levels and revenues, and for offering their services and expertise as experienced professionals in any capacity across the value chain of the oil and gas industry.