Optimising output: SPE targets efficiency in Nigeria’s oil sector

By Editor

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Port Harcourt Section 103, is set to host the Well Intervention Summit (WIS) 2026 from March to April at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, as Nigeria’s oil and gas industry intensifies efforts to optimise production from existing assets.

Speaking ahead of the summit, the Section Chairman, Pringle Egbe, stressed the growing importance of well intervention in sustaining output.

“At a time when Nigeria must do more with existing assets, well intervention is no longer optional; it is central to sustaining production, improving efficiency, and securing the future of our energy sector,” he said, noting that the summit is designed to deliver practical solutions and foster industry-wide collaboration.

With the theme, “Challenges, Collaboration and Conformance: Innovating the Future of Well Intervention for Nigeria’s Production Goals,” the summit will focus on operational excellence, cost optimisation, regulatory alignment, and performance-driven outcomes across the upstream value chain.

The event comes at a critical juncture for both Nigeria and the global energy industry, where operators are increasingly prioritising optimisation of existing assets over new drilling. Amid tighter capital budgets, rising costs, and energy transition pressures, the emphasis has shifted to efficiency, enhanced oil recovery, and extending the lifespan of mature fields.

In Nigeria, this urgency is amplified by the country’s reliance on ageing wells, many of which face declining productivity, integrity issues, deferred maintenance, and high intervention costs—challenges that continue to constrain national output.

According to the SPE Port Harcourt Section, WIS 2026 will showcase advanced well intervention technologies, digital solutions, and integrated asset management strategies aimed at unlocking stranded production and improving well performance. The summit is also expected to deepen collaboration among operators, service companies, and regulators in alignment with national production targets.

The event will feature a lineup of industry leaders and technical experts, including Vice President, Well Engineering at Heirs Energies, Edirihin Eta, Ebenezer Ageh of Aradel Holdings; Abdulrahman Mijinyawa of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited; Akintunde of Geoplex Drillteq Limited; and Victor U. Georgeson of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), among others.

These speakers will lead keynote sessions and panel discussions, sharing insights on emerging technologies, global best practices, and innovative approaches to well intervention.

Beyond technical sessions, the summit will provide networking, exhibitions, and partnership opportunities aimed at driving investment and strengthening industry collaboration.

As Nigeria seeks to stabilise and grow oil production, WIS 2026 highlights well intervention as a critical lever for resilience, efficiency, and long-term sustainability in the sector