The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, will be hosting its 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST) on Wednesday, 22nd to Thursday, 23rd October 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.
In a press conference ahead of the 4th Biennial International Conference held in Abuja, the Chief Executive of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Dr Samuel Onoji, said the essence of the conference is to pull together scientists, subject matter experts, researchers, government agencies, academia, the student community and top players in the oil, gas and energy industry to examine topical issues with a view to presenting cutting-edge research, sharing field experiences and discussing policies that will shape the future of hydrocarbon in a fast-changing world.
He disclosed that the conference will feature keynote addresses from the Ministers of State for Oil, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, and Gas, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Chief Executive Officers from sister agencies, panel sessions, exhibitions from partners and sponsors, as well as technical paper presentations that cover different areas of the hydrocarbon value chain.
Dr Onoji said the theme of this year’s conference, “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment, and Governance,” was carefully chosen to reflect the need for a balanced approach to industrial growth, environmental sustainability, and good governance in the hydrocarbon sector.
He stated that the technical sessions would cover a broad range of topics across the hydrocarbon value chain, from exploration to abandonment and decommissioning, as well as emerging developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, environmental management, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage.
“These discussions are essential to drive technological innovation and environmental stewardship in the sector.” He said.
The PTI Chief Executive further revealed that the conference would serve as a platform to nurture the next generation of energy professionals by providing students and young researchers with opportunities to network, learn, and strengthen their competencies.
He said, “As the world grapples with the realities of energy transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources, PTI, through this conference, is taking a bold step to advance research and development efforts that reflect Africa’s peculiar hydrocarbon situation.”
Dr Onoji observed that Africa holds an estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and over 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, stressing that the continent must not hastily abandon fossil fuels but rather focus on deepening research into technologies that enable cleaner and more efficient utilisation of its natural resources.
He projected that global demand for fossil fuels will continue for at least the next 50 years, underscoring the need for Africa to harness its resources responsibly.
He also noted that only a few African nations have developed local expertise in critical aspects of oil production technology and the fabrication of key machinery, a gap which the ICHST aims to address through collaborative research and innovation.
The PTI Chief Executive said, “This conference intends to focus on developing local content capacity in oil technology to ensure Africa’s participation in the global hydrocarbon economy.”
Dr Onoji said the theme of this year’s conference is apt, as it aims to provide a holistic future of the oil and gas industry with a view to guiding critical stakeholders towards embracing opportunities, addressing challenges and fostering sustainable development in the ever-dynamic industry.