The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) has announced plans to unveil a more adaptable modular refinery as part of efforts to deepen local refining capacity and boost Nigeria’s self-reliance in oil and gas technology. The initiative forms part of PTI’s broader drive to bridge technological gaps and position Africa to sustainably manage its abundant hydrocarbon resources amid the global energy transition.
Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Samuel Onoji, revealed the development at a world press conference in Abuja ahead of the 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology. The event is scheduled for October 22 and 23, 2025, at the PTDF Towers, Central Business District.
Onoji disclosed that the institute is working with industry partners to develop homegrown technologies capable of driving oil exploration, drilling, and refining in Nigeria. “The Petroleum Training Institute is in partnership with some other organizations, and we are also working very hard to develop local technology that will help us expand crude production,” he explained.
“We have been in the business of oil and gas for the past 53 years. And so local technologies have been developed to exploit this oil and gas. We are not waiting for 2060, which is still far away, but it’s also very, very close. So, we are working on that. Like the modular refinery, we are also developing a more stable and adaptable modular refinery that can help us process our crude oil into refined crude oil. We are doing that already.”
Onoji highlighted that in the area of drilling, PTI has a well-functioning drilling rig used to train experts in oil and drilling technology. The institute also has Drill 6,000, a simulation equipment used to train people on how to carry out drilling operations, ensuring that in the next couple of years, Nigeria will have mastered the technology of exploiting, drilling, and processing crude oil.
The PTI chief emphasized that Africa remains richly endowed with about 125 billion barrels of crude oil and 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. He stressed that rather than phasing out fossil fuels in haste, the continent must invest in research, innovation, and cleaner production technologies. According to him, the global shift toward cleaner energy sources should not translate to neglect of Africa’s comparative advantage in hydrocarbons.
Onoji warned that only a handful of African countries currently possess the capacity to fabricate key oil and gas machinery, a situation that underscores the need for knowledge-driven local content development. “With an estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and over 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves in Africa, it is our considered opinion that Africa should not hasten to abandon fossil fuel but should strive to deepen research and development of local technologies that enable the exploitation and utilization of our oil and gas endowment in a more environmentally friendly manner, as the reality of global demand for fossil fuel is expected to linger for the next 50 years.”
“Today, we are confronted with the stark reality that only a few African countries have been able to master certain aspects of oil production technology and fabricate key machinery for the industry. Thus, this conference intends to focus on research in these key areas to develop local content capacity in oil technology,” he added.
The forthcoming conference will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, academia, and international development partners to discuss the theme “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment and Governance.” The event will feature keynote addresses from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), chief executives of industry regulators, and other leading experts.
Technical papers will cover subjects such as exploration, decommissioning, artificial intelligence, robotics, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Onoji noted that the event will also nurture the next generation of energy professionals, providing a platform for students and young researchers to share ideas and build competencies for the future of work in the oil and gas industry.
PTI’s Director of Research and Development, Tina Isichei, argued that the idea that fossil fuels would be completely phased out by 2050 or 2060 is unrealistic. “Fossil fuels are not just about gasoline or diesel; they are essential feedstock for several industries, including pharmaceuticals. What we must do is reduce emissions and adopt sustainable practices,” she said. “At PTI, we are exploring technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage, as well as research into renewable energy, to balance growth with environmental responsibility.”
Established by Act No. 37 of 1972 (as amended), PTI serves as Nigeria’s premier institution for manpower development in the petroleum sector. The institute provides technical and technological training, research, and consultancy services to support the petroleum and allied industries. Over its 53-year history, PTI has trained thousands of technicians, engineers, and researchers who currently drive operations in both local and international oil firms.
Source: punchng.com