The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, has advised African nations against hastily abandoning their crude oil and gas reserves in pursuit of global energy transition goals.
Speaking at a world press conference ahead of the 4th Biannual International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (I-CHAT) in Abuja, PTI Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Onoji, said the continent should instead invest in research and innovation to exploit its resources sustainably.
“With an estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil and over 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, Africa should not rush to abandon fossil fuels,” Onoji said. “Rather, we must deepen research into local technologies that enable cleaner and more efficient utilization of these resources, as global demand for fossil fuels will persist for the next 50 years.”
He emphasized that the institute is committed to minimizing carbon emissions in its operations, adding that PTI has already achieved a reduction in natural gas flaring to below seven percent.
Onoji noted that PTI’s Research and Development Directorate is developing technologies to further reduce emissions and support Nigeria’s decarbonisation goals.
“One of the mechanisms we are adopting is the Carbon Credit Mechanism, which incentivizes emission reduction while promoting cleaner energy production,” he stated.
He added that while the pursuit of net-zero emissions remains a global goal, it must be balanced with Africa’s economic realities and energy security needs.
