Engineer’s Expertise Guides Major Onshore Gas Development
Nigeria’s gas sector stands at a critical juncture. While the country possesses Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, much of this resource remains undeveloped or underutilized. Recent government policies increasingly emphasize gas development for domestic power generation, industrial use, and exports through liquefied natural gas facilities. Against this backdrop, TotalEnergies, in partnership with NNPC Limited, announced […]
Nigeria’s gas sector stands at a critical juncture. While the country possesses Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, much of this resource remains undeveloped or underutilized. Recent government policies increasingly emphasize gas development for domestic power generation, industrial use, and exports through liquefied natural gas facilities.
Against this backdrop, TotalEnergies, in partnership with NNPC Limited, announced a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta gas and condensate field development in Rivers State, Nigeria. Engineer Oluremi Emmanuel Oyekanmi reportedly contributed technical expertise to the preparation of the drilling components that supported the project’s approval.
The Final Investment Decision marks a pivotal point in any major oil and gas project, signifying that technical, commercial, and regulatory uncertainties have been sufficiently resolved for the company to commit capital to development. For drilling engineers, the FID process requires extensive planning — covering geological assessments, well design, equipment requirements, cost estimates, and schedule projections.
Colleagues involved in the Ubeta project noted that Oyekanmi worked on key drilling inputs as part of a multidisciplinary team. His participation reflects his progression from field operations to strategic project development within TotalEnergies Nigeria.
The Ubeta project, unlike offshore oil developments that characterized earlier phases of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, presents unique technical and operational challenges. Onshore gas wells require completion designs optimized for sustained gas output rather than liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, land-based logistics, environmental safeguards, and community engagement play larger roles in onshore developments compared to offshore operations.
As Offshore Drilling Engineering Manager at TotalEnergies Nigeria, Oyekanmi leads a team responsible for planning and preparing drilling campaigns. His responsibilities include technical oversight, coordination with reservoir and facilities engineers, and early identification of critical long-lead equipment and services to ensure timely execution.
Beyond Ubeta, sources within the company note that Oyekanmi’s portfolio also includes projects utilizing conductor-supported platforms (CSPs) — reflecting his versatility in both onshore gas and offshore drilling environments.
Industry observers point out that engineers who transition from hands-on operational roles to strategic project development bring essential practical insight to the planning process. With over eighteen years of progressively responsible experience, Oyekanmi exemplifies this blend of technical depth and leadership.
The Ubeta FID is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s gas sector. It contributes to the government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, enhances domestic supply potential, and demonstrates to international investors that Nigeria remains a competitive environment for upstream gas development despite global energy transition trends.
For Oyekanmi, participation in this milestone represents another step in a career defined by technical excellence and growing strategic responsibility — from rig engineer overseeing daily operations to a manager contributing to major investment decisions.