Globally, the oil and gas industry is affected by many issues. In this interview with Udeme Akpan, Mr. Felix Amieyeofori, Managing Director of Energia Limited disclosed that excess oil supply, oil market instability and other issues have crippled operations in the industry.

•Managing Director of Energia Limited,Mr. Felix Amieyeofori

What factors account for your rapid development and emergence as a leading producer?

Energia started as a consortium of leading Nigerian service and technology providers, who came together with little cash, but with great personnel and equipment and services to work on our well to bring it to first oil.

Can you comment on your personnel and technology?

Energia has a great team from the shareholders of the company who are key oil and gas people, plus a security chief as first Chairman, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to guide the legal side of business. Management and staff are also deep in oil and gas experience and government and community liaison experts. Energia leveraged on the technology of its founding Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) members to fast-track its first oil and further field development.

What are your plans in the short, medium and long term? 

Energia currently has production capacity of 7,000 barrels per day, bpd but is looking to producing 15,000 bpd in near future, hopefully as we resume full production and injection through Forcados Terminal.

Are you planning to bid for marginal fields/blocks?

Generally, yes, we would want to participate once the bid is out. We would want to grow.

What are your contributions to local content development?  

Energia is a 100 per cent local content company from shareholders to the board of directors, management and staff.  We have also a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR programme that has transformed our host and impacted communities.

Can you comment on your Corporate Social Responsibility?

We have a trust fund which enables us to provide a percentage of our gross production to execute sustainable development and human capacity development programme for these communities.

What are the major challenges that hinder operations in the oil and gas industry?

Security and militancy are the main issues. Another problem is the unstable oil price, which is fuelled by the problems of shale oil and oil supply glut. There is also cash trap in the country due to past investment in International Oil Companies,  IOC divestments, and of course the foreign exchange issues.

How can these problems be tackled?  

Government is working hard to resolve the Niger Delta problems and we hope this will provide the needed incentive for further investment in the oil and gas sector. Government is also working hard to deal with the pockets of security challenges in the country.  They are also working on the PIB or the Governance Bill and we hope that will be passed soonest to give the industry another platform for growth.

What advice do you have for the government and other stakeholders?

Frankly, we must all see ourselves as playing on the same side of the pitch. We must all have the same goal and not to play against ourselves. We have to make constructive compromises, where necessary, to move the ship forward. But above all, we will not also lose sight of the stiff international competitive environment and take advantage of every available opportunity to launch the country into greatness.