Forum seeks tech solutions against Nigeria’s oil theft

Experts at a key oil and gas summit billed to hold next June in Lagos will review technology solutions to stop pipeline vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria.

Organisers of the forthcoming The 2nd West Africa Oil & Gas Security Summit say their initiative comes amid plans by the Federal Government to use surveillance cameras to monitor Nigeria’s pipelines to secure the secure the oil and gas infrastructure assets nationwide.

The 2nd West Africa Oil & Gas Security Summit, organised by global Summits organiser IRN, and taking place on 10-11th June 2015 in Lagos, Nigeria, will assess the technical innovations and effective management techniques for the protection of pipeline networks, according to organisers.

The Summit oragnisers say the theme has become topical because combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism “has become one of Nigeria’s top priorities as the country holds the highest number of vandalised oil pipelines in the world, according to the Minister of Power.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently reported that pipeline vandalism has complicated the free flow of their petroleum products and crude supply in its pipeline system, leading to a colossal cost of over N174.57 billion within the last 10 years, they said

“Presently, the Federal Government is investing in the development of digital surveillance cameras to monitor the pipelines as well as the deployment of security agents with the final objective of securing its oil and gas infrastructure and allowing Nigeria to benefit from its massive oil and gas assets.”

The Summit will assess the technical innovations and effective management techniques for the protection of pipeline networks.

According to the organisers, “the high profile audience from across the whole West Africa region will also learn how to enhance their company’s security strategy to prevent oil theft and will evaluate the challenges around disaster and crisis management for the oil and gas industry.”

Some other West African oil and gas security issues that will be raised and examined include:

• Security for the oil sector in Nigeria’s post-election period

• Terrorism as a challenge for energy security

• Managing and mitigating the threat of kidnap for ransom in West Africa

• Overview of the latest security technologies for offshore installations

• Business travel security— duty of care for your employees in high risk regions

• Internal investigations for misconduct and criminal activities

• Lessons to be learned for pandemic crisis management from an oil company’s response to the Ebola crisis

• Enhancing your security strategy to prevent theft and petty criminal activity within the workplace