FUTA Partners with Private Sector for Groundbreaking Hydrocarbon Research in Niger Delta

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has embarked on a significant research initiative in collaboration with Green Energy International Limited and LekOil Joint Venture (JV), supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The project aims to advance hydrocarbon exploration in the Otakikpo Field, Niger Delta.

The strategic partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitated by the NCDMB, marks the beginning of a five-year research effort with FUTA serving as the academic research partner. The initiative, launched in October 2022, seeks to address key challenges in the oil sector, focusing on innovative solutions for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation.

On September 5, 2024, members of the Joint Venture visited FUTA for an on-site assessment and technical discussion with the University’s research team. The team includes Professor Kenneth Alaneme, Director of the Centre for Research and Development, along with Professors Mary Olowokere, John Amigun, Saka Opeloye, Francis Akinluyi, and Drs. Osazuwa Ogbahon and Olubola Abiola.

Professor Alaneme highlighted the project’s commitment to funding a comprehensive reservoir study in the Otakikpo Field, aiming to overcome challenges such as pore-fill prediction and human capital development. The research will utilize seismic and well data to enhance reservoir characterization and monitoring, with a focus on minimizing risks associated with drilling, including blow-outs and dry wells.

The collaboration underscores a commitment to leveraging local expertise for national development, emphasizing safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible practices in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Professor Alaneme revealed that the project includes the development of prototype software for predicting pore pressure, potentially transforming drilling operations by mitigating unexpected pressure changes.

Dr. Babangida Jubrin, Principal Geoscientist at NCDMB, expressed satisfaction with FUTA’s progress and the project’s potential long-term benefits for Nigeria. Jonathan Njoku, Project Manager for Research and Development at NCDMB, commended FUTA for its capacity to bridge academia and industry, facilitating the translation of research into practical applications.

FUTA Vice Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji praised the collaboration and the University’s role in advancing the project. She emphasized the importance of the initiative for Nigeria’s oil sector and highlighted the benefits to FUTA’s students from the project’s resources.

The project, expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2025, aims to enhance local expertise in oil production and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.