Oil & Gas expert James Arukhe emphasizes that Nigeria needs collaboration between government and private entities, alongside strategic investments, to fulfil its domestic and international energy commitments.
“Meeting these obligations requires investments in infrastructure, technology, security, environmental sustainability, and human capital,” Arukhe stated. “Policy reforms are also crucial.”
He emphasizes the importance of achieving a win-win scenario for both parties: “Increased revenue for Nigeria can be achieved through mutual respect and collaboration, addressing both immediate operational efficiency challenges and long-term oil sector sustainability.”
With a rich background as a senior engineer and educator, Arukhe has shaped the production operations of the world’s largest oilfields, including those of Saudi Aramco, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Petro-Canada.
Arukhe’s portfolio of innovation, marked by over 40 U.S. patents, underscores his commitment to advancing the oil and gas sector through technology. Notably, his patented turbine-powered pump systems for enhancing oil recovery, U.S. Patent No. 11,391,132, exemplifies his approach to tackling operational efficiencies and maximizing output, which could be particularly transformative for Nigeria’s oil production landscape.
Arukhe stresses that private investment is contingent on government commitment. “Industry practitioners believe President Bola Tinubu’s oil & gas experience and as Minister of Petroleum, is a positive step for the sector,” he adds.
A distinguished lecturer for SPE (2020-21), Arukhe emphasizes the need for technological advancements: “Investments in digital oilfield technologies, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, and real-time monitoring systems are essential to optimize production processes and minimize downtime.”
While facing pressure from the West to shift away from fossil fuels, Nigeria plans to continue exploration. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, recently stated this intention at an energy summit in Abuja.
Arukhe said Nigeria could adopt Brazil’s model of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and policy reforms that spurred investments in deep-water oil reserves to enhance its oil production capabilities. Key strategies include streamlining regulatory processes for exploration and production licenses, offering fiscal incentives to attract private investment, and facilitating technology and expertise sharing between private firms and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
These measures, inspired by Brazil’s success with Petrobras and international oil companies, could significantly boost Nigeria’s oil sector, he added.
On environmental concerns, he stated that investments should focus on cleaner technologies like carbon capture and renewable energy integration. Implementing effective oil spill management systems and aligning with international environmental standards will minimize ecological impact.
‘’These measures will contribute to sustainable operations, balancing production efficiency with environmental protection, and align with global climate change initiatives’’, he asserted.