Offshore West Africa
13 - 16 March 2006
Abuja, Nigeria

Offshore West Africa, hosted by Pennwell and sponsored prominently by Bluewater, Shell and ExxonMobil was held in Abuja, 13-16th March 2006. The event also received the full support of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The mix of exhibitors included two sizeable contingents of French and UK exhibitors. Other overseas representations included the Norwegians, Dutch, Danish and Americans. The UK contingent was supported by the Energy Industries Council (EIC) and the local British High Commission staff, who assisted in a number of important introductions during the course of the event.

Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the 11th globally, with a production average around 2.6million barrels per day (bb/l), and a target of 4.0 bopd by 2010. Notably, it is also one of the world's largest oil exporters and a major oil supplier to Western Europe and the US of sweet crude. Much of this oil is found in deepwater blocks, requiring offshore facilities, both fixed and floating. With high unemployment, the government is focused on ensuring local participation in exploration and production - the number of skilled local engineers continues to grow.

The companies in the UK Group included manufacturers and suppliers of specialist steel wires, satellite communications for remote locations, asset integrity management, in-situ facility repairs, test, measurement and calibration equipment, bolts and flanges for leak-free joints, well testing, workover and completion services, downhole drilling tools, remote subsea systems technologies, diagnostic services and instruments, radar tracking systems, rotating equipment and controls, manpower contracting solutions and hazardous area specialists.

Conference subjects ranged from the technical aspects of deep offshore exploration and production in 1000-3000 metres of water, mooring systems and local content. The oil majors already involved in Nigeria; Agip; Shell; Exxonmobil; TotalFinaElf; ChevronTexaco and ConocoPhillips where notable in their presence. In addition oilfield support services, engineering and process manufacturers and related technology and safety companies attended.

While the quantity of attendees could not match Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, or OTC in Houston the quality of attendees made up for it, with the majority (some 80%) being company MD/CEOs in the oil, gas or related construction sector or directors of government departments. A good number of promising leads were recorded by each company in the group. The show also provided the opportunity to meet and spend some time with existing clients’ local operations teams and pre-identified potential clients.

First time exhibitor, MTCTCL Energy Services Limited (www.mtctcl.co.uk) had a very successful show. John Adebiyi, Managing Director reports: “The OWA Exhibition was most beneficial to MTCTCL Energy Services Limited. It gave us the opportunity to exhibit our services and meet with new clients and make new contacts. The EIC was most helpful prior and during the event and it proved to be a great networking opportunity, as it enabled us to promote to the correct audience and market. I definitely look forward to attending more events arranged by the EIC in the near future.”

Outside of the show, a reception at the High Commission hosted by High Commissioner Richard Gozney provided the opportunity to meet State and Federal governors and special advisors.

In summary, for a country with ambitious plans for its growth which mirror that of Brazil, and also inexorably linked in the short-to-mid term with the oil and gas sector (see chart), it seems vital that any company supplying to the offshore market must consider West Africa. West Africa will receive 40% of the $48 billion in deepwater E&P spending projected for the next five years. The Offshore West Africa Conference & Exhibition remains the leading source of information on new technology and operating expertise for this deepwater and subsea market.

OWA 2007 will take place from 20-22 March at a new purpose built International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The EIC has reserved prime space at the show and will be taking bookings shortly. Companies interested in presenting a paper at the conference or exhibiting at the show can contact the EIC, events@eic-uk.com

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