NCDMB, SNEPCO Graduate 7 Engineers, Geologists in Directional Drilling, Wireline Services
By Onwe Wisdom/ Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Limited and Geoplex Drillteq Limited, has graduated seven young Nigerian engineers and geologists trained in Directional Drilling and Evaluation Services (DD/MWD) and Electric Wireline Evaluation Services (EWL).
The development was contained in the board post on its official X (Twitter) hand issued following the graduation ceremony held on Thursday in Port Harcourt, where the seven beneficiaries collectively received 18 international certifications from reputable European organisations.
The training, implemented under the contractual framework provided by SNEPCO, was designed to equip the beneficiaries with specialised technical skills required to compete effectively in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and the global energy sector.
Under the Directional Drilling and Evaluation programme, the trainees received practical exposure to jar maintenance, bottom-hole assembly components, measurement-while-drilling principles, formation integrity and leak-off test procedures.
The Electric Wireline Evaluation programme, on the other hand, provided hands-on training in wireline logging, cement evaluation, perforation operations, pressure-control equipment, as well as rig-up and rig-down activities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, represented by the Deputy Manager in the directorate, Mr. Tareowei Bufazi, described the programme as a rigorous capacity-building initiative implemented concurrently under SNEPCO contracts.
Bamidele said the combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training on live projects had adequately prepared the trainees for emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry, including major projects and Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) coming on stream.
He urged the graduands to see the knowledge, skills and certifications acquired through the programme as a springboard for continuous professional development.
“The knowledge, skills and certifications you have acquired should serve as a foundation for continuous learning and professional growth.”
He further charged them to distinguish themselves through problem-solving, professional standards and the value they create in their respective fields.
“The world you are entering is competitive, demanding, and constantly evolving. You have already proven that you can rise above challenges. Be courageous enough to seize opportunities and resilient enough to overcome setbacks.”
The NCDMB Capacity Building Directorate boss commended SNEPCO for its commitment to the successful implementation of the programme and for investing in the development of Nigerian talent.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Geoplex Drillteq Limited and Arewa Innovative Solutions to the training initiative.
Earlier, Mr. Kingsley Erhunmwunsee of SNEPCO said the company regarded local content development as an investment in Nigeria’s future rather than merely a regulatory requirement.
Erhunmwunsee stressed that the country’s oil and gas industry requires highly skilled professionals capable of operating safely, solving complex technical problems, adopting emerging technologies and delivering world-class performance.
According to him, building such capabilities locally would have benefits beyond individual career development.
“Developing that capability within Nigeria strengthens not only individual careers, but also our companies and the Nigerian economy.”
He expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for its sustained commitment to local content development and the support provided towards the successful implementation of the training programme.
In another address, the Vice President-Business Development, of Geoplex Drillteq Limited, Mr. Akeem Raji, described the close-out ceremony as “a celebration of learning, professional development, collaboration and a shared commitment to building sustainable Nigerian capacity within the oil and gas industry.”
He said at Geoplex, the Management believes that “sustainable Nigerian Content Development must translate into measurable technical capability, recognized qualifications and improved employability,” and that the real value of training becomes evident when the knowledge and experience acquired are applied safely, competently and productively within the industry.
Like his counterpart in SNEPCO, he expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for its leadership, its oversight and continued commitment to developing Nigerian capacity in the oil and gas sector.
International certifications received by the seven graduands were from the United Kingdom-based National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), and Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO).
The graduation marks another step in efforts by industry stakeholders to deepen indigenous technical capacity and ensure that Nigerian professionals are adequately equipped to participate in specialised and high-value segments of the oil and gas industry.
