Oil
Digitalisation vital for Nigeria's oil sector, says engineer
Schlumberger's Lymmy Ogbidi highlights the role of automation and digital tools in overcoming operational hurdles in Nigeria's petroleum industry.
Key points
- Digitalisation and automation reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency.
- Critical investments include AI analytics, 3D/4D seismic monitoring, and robotics for subsea operations.
- Data-driven decision-making and cross-border collaboration enhance project viability during market volatility.
Fuel exports account for 85.9% of Nigeria's merchandise exports according to 2025 World Bank data, making efficiency in the petroleum sector vital for the national economy. TheCable reported that Lymmy Ogbidi, senior reservoir engineer at Schlumberger UK, believes digitalisation and automation are essential for tackling the industry's persistent challenges.
Addressing structural hurdles
According to the interview, the Nigerian petroleum sector faces significant obstacles, including outdated infrastructure, high production costs, and deepwater security risks. Ogbidi noted that deploying advanced technologies can mitigate these issues. Recommended investments include artificial intelligence-driven reservoir analytics, digital twins, and Internet of Things sensors for predictive maintenance. Additionally, robotics can enhance safety and reduce security risks during subsea operations.
Managing market volatility and uncertainty
Ogbidi shared experiences from navigating sudden oil price drops that threaten project economics. During a field development project in the Niger Delta basin characterised by sparse and conflicting data, his team applied probabilistic modelling and Monte Carlo simulations to quantify risk. This phased approach reduced upfront capital exposure and confirmed commercial viability.
Operational agility and cost-cutting measures, such as deploying digital tools for remote operations, helped improve efficiency during downturns without resorting to layoffs, TheCable reported. Furthermore, Ogbidi emphasised that fostering workplace diversity by drawing on regional expertise from countries such as South Africa, Congo, and Uganda improved technical problem-solving and fostered innovation.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Crude benchmarks move budgets, currencies and inflation in producer and importer countries alike. For economies such as Nigeria, where fuels dominate exports, production and refining decisions move the whole economy.
85.9% of Nigeria’s merchandise exports were fuels in 2025Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
