Fifteen graduate trainees of engineering and geology backgrounds on Friday at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, underwent commencement formalities for the Human Capacity Development (HCD) Training Programme of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) on underwater welding and commercial diving.
The 12-month training is in respect of the 14.4-kilometre sectional replacement of pipeline infrastructure contract of the company under its oil mining lease (OML) 30 in Warri, Delta State, and comprises an intensive three-month foundational component at the PTI Training Centre and months of shallow water diving at Abraka and at sea in Burutu, before a final lap of international training in South Africa.
In a keynote address at the kick-off ceremony in Warri, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Human Capital Development of the Board, Ms. Alexis Emelle, said the training would equip the young graduates with world-class skills for critical roles in protection, maintenance and sustenance of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Underwater welding and commercial diving, he stated, are critical to the survival, profitability, and safety of the oil and gas sector, particularly at a time that attention is shifting more to deep-sea operations. He emphasised that “Nigeria’s petroleum wealth relies heavily on offshore exploration in the Gulf of Guinea and the shallow waters of the Niger Delta.”
While expressing appreciation to HEOSL for fruitful partnership with the Board and its commitment to developing indigenous talent, he pointed out that specialised diving operations are at the heart of extraction and transportation of crude oil. “Initiatives like this,” he explained, “bring the vision of the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Road Map of the NCDMB to life.”
He advised the trainees to approach the programme with discipline, curiosity and determination, pointing out that they have a rare and valuable opportunity to acquire vital industry-relevant skills that would shape them into professionals capable of solving industry problems. “The industry needs fresh talents, new ideas, and people ready to lead,” he added.
In his own remarks, the Executive Director, Operations, of PTI, Engr. Jabuoma Enagwolor, said his Institute has been in the training business for over 50 years and remains the foremost training organisation for underwater welding and commercial diving in Nigeria, with its certified welders working in several countries of the world.
Earlier in a welcome address, a representative of Heritage Energy Operational Services, Mr. Felix Usiwo, stated that continuous learning is imperative in a dynamic industry such as oil and gas, and that the training programme was designed to equip the young graduates with the skills and knowledge required to meet the challenges of the oil and gas sector regarding underwater welding.
He expressed optimism that the trainees would be able to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in meaningful ways to improve on operations, drive performance and ensure safety across the board.
He also commended the NCDMB, which he described as a senior partner, for all the support his company has enjoyed
