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NAPE President October Speech

Dr. James Edet, FNAPE; NAPE President

WELCOME TO OCTOBER

Climate Change & Our Industry: Significant Part of the Problem or Leverageable Opportunities for Solution

Dear NAPE Member,

I welcome you all to the month of October and glad to announce the countdown to our association’s 40th Annual International Conference and Exhibition themed, “Global Energy Transition and the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry: Evolving Regulations, Emerging Concepts and Opportunities”. 

For several years, there has been some advocacy for an end to reliance on fossil fuels to save the planet. Since the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, the oil and gas industry has faced opposition from the public, stakeholders and policy-makers who are largely concerned about the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. Amidst the global energy transition advocacy, the financial and social future of the oil and gas industry is increasingly being questioned.

However, despite these rising issues, oil and gas remain a crucial part of the energy mix, especially in developing countries. In the decarbonisation forecasts of several organizations, we see an ongoing, long-term role for oil and gas.

Across the globe, there has been a gradual shift from policies that have supported oil and gas production to policies that are beginning to disincentivize fossil fuels. Also, investors are becoming a strategic driver of decarbonisation actions and are increasingly getting accustomed to the demand horizon for hydrocarbons and shifting focus to the environmental impact of oil and gas production. Trapped asset risk is a significant concern for shareholders as the future energy mix takes shape.

Against this backdrop, the relevant question remain: Should we, the oil and gas industry, be viewed as a significant part of the problem, or Should our knowledge base be leveraged as an opportunity to solve these challenge?

I believe, the challenge for us is not just to engage and adapt to a changing policy and investment landscape, but to also evolve in ways which do not only support but contribute and, perhaps, even lead efforts to decarbonise the energy system.

Our industry needs to respond by looking at where and how to continue in business and gingering a rethink of business models in a decarbonizing world. How oil and gas companies choose to engage with the low carbon energy transition may determine how we are viewed by shareholders, governments, and the general public.

In order to be successful in our efforts to, not only survive the low carbon energy transition but also support and lead the cause, NAPE, as a strategic platform for leaders and energy industry professionals in Nigeria, have strategically put together several activities as part of the upcoming conference to reinforce strategies and commitments that will drive the industry towards reducing emissions, meeting decarbonisation goals and shaping the long-term energy outlook.

With thousands of exhibiting companies, visitors and other relevant organisations, the NAPE AICE 2022 will provide a unique opportunity to network with the energy industry and discover new technologies, innovations and solutions that will play a major role in the next phase of the energy system.

The conference will showcase how latest geoscience and engineering research, ideas and case studies have a vital contribution to make in the quest for solutions to the world’s greatest resource challenges.

I invite you to register to attend and join the entire Oil & Gas community in a few weeks as our lined-up activities unfold. Don’t forget without you, there is no conference. Register to attend by visiting www.conference.nape.org.ng

Thank you and Welcome to October.

Yours in Service.

Dr. James Edet, FNAPE
NAPE President 2021/22