The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has presented certificates to 15 drilling engineers trained at the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP), in France.
Mr Jolomi Arenyeka, Acting PTDF Executive Secretary, presented the certificates to the graduates.
He said that the training was part of the organisation’s effort to ensure greater participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has presented certificates to 15 drilling engineers trained at the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP), in France.
Mr Jolomi Arenyeka, Acting PTDF Executive Secretary, presented the certificates to the graduates.
He said that the training was part of the organisation’s effort to ensure greater participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry.
“The programme evolved due to the intention of the Fund to fill identified gaps and ensure adequate capacity building in the area of oil and gas drilling/production operations.
“This is to ultimately enhance Nigerian content development in the oil and gas industry,’’ he said.
Arenyeka explained that the 15 trainees were selected from across the country to attend the four-month programme at the renowned IFP after a rigorous selection process.
“I am pleased to inform you that all the 15 trainees sponsored for the programme were successful and are today being presented with their certificates.’’
The I5 engineers, including five staff of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), attended the training which held from August to December 2012.
He said that the Fund had concluded arrangements to place the trained engineers on a post-training attachment programme at NPDC which was the exploration and production subsidiary of NNPC.
Arenyeka called on stakeholders in the sector to ensure the engagement of the certified drilling engineers on completion of their post-training attachment.
According to him, that will enable them to contribute their quota to the development of the industry.
He reiterated the commitment of the Fund to continue to promote professionalism and development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.
Mr Egunbanbi Mudathir, one of the trainees, said shortly after the presentation of certificates, that the training would boost his capacity in the upstream sector of the industry.
Mudathir said that the training would also afford him and his colleagues the opportunity to break into the drilling and exploration sector which was dominated by expatriates.
“I am glad for this opportunity, it will avail me the opportunity to practice in the drilling and exploration sector which is dominated by expatriates in Nigeria,’’ he said.
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