Experts and research
ers in energy, oil field chemistry and flow assurance in Nigeria have called for a synergy between universities and the petroleum industry in the country as a means of resolving the on-going petroleum crisis.
According to them, such a relationship in addition to the provision of the needed research will enhance local content development and utilisation.
They made the call in their separate presentations recently at the first International Conference on Oil Field Chemistry and Flow Assurance held in Port Harcourt.
In his presentation, the Director, Centre for Petroleum Research and Training, Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Professor Ogbonna Joel, lamented that most of the chemicals currently used in Nigeria and other oil-producing African countries are imported.
This, he said, is in spite of the fact that the raw materials for the production of these chemicals are available locally in large quantities and could not only be sourced, but also processed.
Professor Joel, who is also the Centre Leader, World Bank African Centres of Excellence for Oil Field Chemical Research and convener of the conference, however noted that lack of adequate research in the petroleum sector has robbed such African nations of enormous opportunities to create jobs, generate new knowledge and develop skills.
He continued that the UNIPORT, through its research plan, and as a leading Centre of Excellence in petroleum studies, has a cream of experts with industrial experience.
In his speech, the Head, Research and Documentation of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Engr. Neeka Jacob, said the agency is proud of the achievements of the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS), UNIPORT, and will continue to support and celebrate the centre.
He stated that PTDF will not relent in giving support to institutions in the country that engage in research capable of saving the country from what he called “the embarrassment” the country is facing in the energy and petroleum sector.
In a communique read by Professor Sunny Iyuke, the conference identified lack of financial support to students, lack of government funding for research, power failure, and non-release of funds by the World Bank as some of the major challenges hindering research in Nigeria.