The chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria and chief executive of Geoplex, Wole Ogunsanya, is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference.
PETAN, the umbrella body for indigenous companies delivering technical services across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, is holding a prominent position at the Nigerian Pavilion at OTC 2026, which opened Monday in Houston, Texas. The association is there in partnership with Acme Multitech Services Limited, and its presence this year is more than ceremonial.
This year’s conference theme, “Africa’s Energy Transformation: Scaling Investment, Technology, and Local Capacity for Sustainable Growth,” lands squarely in territory PETAN has spent years trying to claim. Nigerian indigenous firms, Ogunsanya argues, are no longer the industry’s supporting cast. They are increasingly writing the script.
“This conference offers more than visibility,” Ogunsanya said ahead of the event. “It is an opportunity to demonstrate the technical strength and global competitiveness of Nigerian firms, as well as their readiness to influence conversations around Africa’s energy future.”
A week of high-stakes conversations
Monday’s opening ceremony at the Nigerian Pavilion features the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) alongside senior executives from international and independent oil companies, according to MSN. Later in the day, NUPRC chief executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan is scheduled to address the NUPRC/PETAN Energy Evolution Exchange Spotlight, a session built around the growing alignment between Nigeria’s upstream regulator and its indigenous operator community.
The week builds deliberately from there. Tuesday’s African Energy Forum brings together regulators, national oil companies, and global operators to examine investment flows and continental policy direction. Wednesday’s focus shifts to industrial capacity at the NCDMB-OEM Investment Forum, where stakeholders will examine local manufacturing pathways, supply chain development, and financing access for African service providers.
What PETAN is really selling
PETAN’s member companies span well engineering, marine services, fabrication, and reservoir technology. That breadth is deliberate. Board Secretary Eloka Ejeh said the industry’s current depth reflects years of sustained investment in skills and infrastructure. He urged international partners and equipment manufacturers to engage Nigerian firms as long-term collaborators rather than transactional vendors.
Proceedings wrap Thursday with a networking golf event in Missouri City, Texas.
