By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor

Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, at its 2024 PETAN Awards bestowed double honours to the Indigenous oil and gas services company, Petrolog, and its Chairman Dr Vincent Ebuh.

A bright day began when Ebuh was announced proud winner of the Distinctive Leadership Medal of Honour Award, for establishing the first oil and gas services company in Nigeria; an idea which has turned out to be the country pride in that genre of petroleum sector.

Organisers of the award described Dr Ebuh as a visioner, dogged fighter, and incredible innovator who drives every of his ideas with passion.

However, Ebuh is not new to such awards. In 2014, he was decorated with Lifetime Achievement Award in Oil and Gas Industry, by the same Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.

In 2011, he received the Lion of Africa award for outstanding private sector leadership, by Ronald H. Brown in Washington, DC.

He was also named Top Executive and Professional of the Year 2015 by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide Edition, for his outstanding contributions and achievements in the oil and gas industry, Farmingdale, New York.

He was named one of the 50 most impactful African CEOs in 2022, by The Guardian.

PETAN said the award suits him like a second skin due to his achievements in the industry, including several published works that have helped in strengthening the industry.

He authored, International Trade: Third World Dilemma: Implication for African Country before Year 2000. The work used Nigeria as a Case Study.

He has also presented several, Memoranda to Nigerian government on Solutions to the Issue of Perennial Shortages of Petroleum Products in Nigeria.

Dr Ebuh has actually been around. He has over four decades of experience in responsible strategic planning, managing daily operations, financials, profit and loss of over 650 employees.

He is a Fellow of Nigerian institute of Management; a Fellow of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationist and that of Nigerian Institute of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

He is an Alumni of Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and George Town Universities.

Dr Ebuh is a Member Entrepreneurship Institute of Houston; President Nigerian Venezuelan chamber of commerce; Co-Founder Zenith Bank PLC., in 1990.

He was the First Nigerian to start an oil & Gas service company, 1980.

Commenting on the award, he said: “I am thrilled with the continued recognition of PETAN to the fact we are first movers in the oil and gas services sector in Nigeria. One should actually be proud to see an association that is stuck to promoting and rewarding excellence in a society where it doesn’t matter to many” .

Meanwhile, no sooner had Ebuh climbed down the stage from receiving his award, the Oriental hotel, venue of the award ceremony lit up again, at the announcement of his company, Petrolog as the First PETAN Pioneer Company. A double honour rare in the history of PETAN awards.

Describing why the company deserved the award, Chairman of PETAN, Engr Wole Ogunsanya said: “Petrolog brings energy to the world as an integrated provider of solutions for the entire oil and gas lifecycle.

“Established over four decades ago, Petrolog has grown its services and solutions platform to include Marine vessels, saturation diving, drilling services, engineering and design, subsea construction, and digital software solutions.

“Petrolog is represented in four continents, with over 10 offices. It has a strong and dedicated global workforce of over 650 employees, which helps it effectively respond to customer’s needs.

“Now, commonly known as Petrolog Group, the company which has become a conglomerate of entities has teams that are working together with a singular focus and vision to provide world class, professional services in each field of endeavor” he added.

Corroborating him, Dr Ebuh, added: “Whatever the requirement, great or small, our team stands ready to find the solutions to address the challenges”.

The prestigious PETAN Award for Excellence started in 1994 immediately after the association was established as a forum for exchanging ideas with industry stakeholders, policy makers, and major operators.

The association is open to all Nigerian oil and gas entrepreneurs while the award searches out companies and individuals that have distinguished themselves with excellence.

The Nigerian Oil and Gas industry has been facing numerous challenges including environmental concerns, infrastructure limitations, security issues, and regulatory and governance reforms.

The fluctuating global oil prices and increasing competition from other oil-producing countries pose risks to Nigeria’s oil revenue and overall economic stability.

So, those who weather the storm to continue providing quality services deserve recognition, which is what PETAN has done with the double awards to Petrolog and Dr Ebuh.