NNPC, Sonatrach collaborate to foster research and development

NNPC Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Algerian National Oil Company, Sonatrach, to advance partnership opportunities in research, development and innovation

The MoU with Sonatrach will be led by NNPC's Research Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division, in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The agreement framework was signed by NNPC's executive vice president - business services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach's managing director, Khodjah Mohamed, during the latest African Petroleum Producers' Organisation (APPO) Forum for R&D Directors at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, Nigeria. 

While speaking of the significant players in advancing Africa's hydrocarbons sector, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri explained that the forum originated as a platform for navigating the global energy transition by leveraging funding, technology, and markets, and said, "The R&D forum tackles technology and expertise needs, the African Energy Bank addresses funding constraints, and the Central African Pipeline System supports regional oil and gas market integration."

"Collaboration in research and development is of strategic importance. The cost of innovation might be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater," said NNPC's chief financial officer, Adedapo Segun.

The Group chief executive officer of NNPC, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, fosters a vision for a unified strategic framework through which resources could be pooled, data integrated and risks shared across member countries. He also stressed on the rapid adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering to improve upstream, midstream and downstream operations.

The APPO secretary general, Farid Ghezali, urged African petroleum producing countries to ensure research in the oil and gas sector produced solutions that are practical and directly relevant to the continent. "We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa," he said.