GE Nigeria Oil and Gas has pledged to deliver improved technology for the complex subsea production in the oil and gas industry, reiterating its commitment to equip Nigerians with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing technology-driven world.

Speaking during an interactive session for customers, partners and other stakeholders in the Nigeria oil and gas industry at the GE Garage in Lagos, the GE Nigeria Oil and Gas Leader, Mr. Uzo Nwagwu, stated that technology would continue to play a key role in the development of the oil and gas industry.

The Garages is an innovation and manufacturing centre where aspiring makers and entrepreneurs can go to develop new skills and learn about advanced manufacturing technologies.

Nwagwu stressed the need for concerted efforts by all the stakeholders to build skills and capacity in available local manpower.

“The core of GE Oil and Gas is technology, and this technology will play a critical role in emerging energy markets. As the Oil and Gas industry continues to explore new sources of production, operations are increasing in complexity thus driving significant demand for better technology in equipment and services,” he said.

Nwagwu noted that GE is investing significantly in the training of engineers and technicians in the use of the ever-evolving technology.

According to him, about 70per cent of the GE Oil and Gas Field Service Engineers and technicians in Nigeria are indigenous and we expect to see those numbers grow.

The GE Nigeria Oil and Gas leader explained that GE delivers expertise to Africa by being a “big business” that acts like a nimble, local, “small” business.

“We do this by combining a deep understanding of local demands, challenges, and opportunities in the energy sector with GE’s global scale and Research and Development (R&D),” he added.

He further disclosed that GE is investing in technology and service sectors that are critically important to the region, such as subsea, artificial lift, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

“Subsea production is expected to increase by 35 per cent globally by 2018 as growing demand drives production toward much deeper parts of the sea. GE is delivering technology and services today to develop subsea resources and is developing the technologies that will move processing to the seabed.

“GE has a full portfolio of Artificial Lift technologies to help customers improve production on depleting wells and has also solutions to facilitate broader access to gas for distributed power,” he said.

Participants at the session were taken on a tour of the Garages display and interacted directly with technology ranging from 3D printers to laser cutters.

The Garages programme is in partnership with the Dangote Foundation and Points of Light. As a significant stakeholder within the Nigerian private sector, the Dangote Foundation will help produce and maintain the program and will collaborate on curriculum development for aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition, Dangote will be engaged to source and support the venue which will host Garages in Lagos.

With the help of its partner, Points of Light, GE will activate its over 400 employees in Nigeria, as well as the global African Affinity Forum within GE, to create a network of mentors, coaches and teachers for programme participants.

Source: Thisday