UNIBEN/Schlumberger move to cut waste in oil, gas industry

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

University of Benin (UNIBEN) authorities in partnership with Schlumberger technology have wielded a handful of initiatives, leading to the deployment of plug-in software operation to curb wastage and avoidable errors of the value-chain in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
The Slumberger technology engagement programme (STEP) is in collaboration with the University of Benin, cutting across students from the Departments of Geology, Geo-physics, computer Science, computer Engineering and Petroleum Engineering in the Institution.
The plug-in module is expected to increase the market value and put the research on global scale and make it acceptable worldwide and it was powered by the Centre of excellence in Geo-Sciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin.
The Group Managing Director, Schlumberger Nigeria, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwagbogu spoke at the close-out meeting of selected nine final year undergraduate students from the Faculties of physical Sciences and Engineering who have successfully completed the plug-in software basic training programme.
According to him, “what we are doing through the STEP programme is about developing a problem-solving skills for brilliant minds and mentor them properly to develop a lot of solutions which have potential economic and commercial value within our industries.
“We try to spread it around for people to interact with this software.
It focuses on the Exploration and production (A & P) industry which also include the life circle of drilling, petrol fundamental, Geology, Geo-physics and how to do convincing presentation”, he said.
He said the scheme would be expanded to other Nigerian Universities in no distant time based on the availability of funds.
The Vice-chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Faraday, directed the various Heads of nine Departments and the Deans in the Faculties of Physical Sciences and Engineering to workout a template on how to further develop the research.
The VC who was represented by the Deputy Vice-chancellor, Administration, Prof. Jacob Ehirobo, said the Institution is plannijg to establish a Centre for Research development.
The Operations Manager of the Schlumberger, Prince Abangwu, said, the University lecturers, mentors and Supervisors will monitor the progress of implementation of its recommendations for operational improvement for the knowledge gained ahead of the first quarter of 2018 when the students will take up another challenge.
The Programme Manager of the programme, Miss Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, in a brief presentation, said the six weeks training programme was conceived in July 2017 and started on September 18th 2017.
She said the programme was launched at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Geo-science and Petroluem Engineering (UNIBEN), using the STEP Curricula as an alternative for advanced technologies which is beyond the reach of most third word Countries.
In his goodwill message, the Director of the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Geo-science and Petroluem Engineering (UNIBEN), Prof. Joseph Ebeniro, challenged the students and the Management of the Institution to work as a team without loosing sight of the prospects and challenges that lie ahead of them.
High point on the occasion was presentations by the students on Software Technical Demonstration: Fluid Mapping on surface and Software Technical Demonstration: Seismic Zone Mapping.
Peoples Daily reports that Schlumberger, is the world leading provider of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the oil and gas industry across over 85 Countries.
Besides, the concept encourages data-sharing among the selected students led by their supervisors and mentors to bridge existing gap between the Academia and industry for the purpose of enhancing the employability skills of graduands from the Nigeria Universities.