Indigenous firms take centre stage

By Bianca Iboma -Emefu

Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas service providers are set to take the global spotlight as the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) leads the country’s charge at the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.

With a strong message that local capacity remains the backbone of Nigeria’s energy future, PETAN declared that its participation at OTC 2026 goes beyond routine presence, positioning indigenous companies as key drivers of Africa’s energy transformation.

Operating under the theme, “Africa’s Energy Transformation: Scaling Investment, Technology, and Local Capacity for Sustainable Growth,” the association said its delegation to the Nigerian Pavilion would project the technical strength and global competitiveness of Nigerian firms across the oil and gas value chain.

PETAN Chairman, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, said the conference presents an opportunity to shift perceptions about indigenous operators.

“OTC 2026 is not just a conference for us — it is a platform to demonstrate that Nigerian companies are technically sound, globally competitive, and ready to lead Africa’s energy transformation. We are not here to observe; we are here to drive the conversation,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the PETAN Conference Committee, Dr. Okey Ukeagbu, stressed that Nigeria’s participation had been strategically designed to yield tangible outcomes.

“From the formal opening of the Nigerian Pavilion to key sessions like the African Energy Forum and the NCDMB–OEM Investment Forum, every engagement is structured to create real opportunities for partnerships and deal-making. Delegates must leave Houston with commitments, not just impressions,” he said.

The Nigerian Pavilion will be officially inaugurated on Monday, May 4, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), alongside top executives of international and independent oil companies.

In a show of growing synergy between regulators and indigenous operators, the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, is scheduled to speak at the NUPRC/PETAN Energy Evolution Exchange Spotlight session.

Activities at the pavilion will span four days, featuring high-level engagements including the African Energy Forum on May 5, which will bring together regulators, national and international oil companies, and policymakers from across the continent to deliberate on investment flows, exploration prospects, and regulatory frameworks.

 On May 6, attention will shift to the NCDMB–OEM Investment Forum, where stakeholders will explore localisation strategies, industrial capacity development, and financing opportunities within Africa’s oil and gas ecosystem.

The event will round off on May 7 with a networking golf tournament aimed at strengthening business relationships forged during the conference.

Highlighting the depth of local expertise, PETAN noted that its member companies operate across critical segments such as well engineering, marine services, fabrication, and reservoir technology.

Publicity Secretary of the association, Dr. Joan Faluyi, said Nigeria’s message at OTC 2026 is clear and investment-focused.

 “We are not simply flying the Nigerian flag; we are telling a story backed by decades of technical expertise and proven capacity. Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is structured, resilient, and ready for investment,” she said.