The Nigerian
Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) is the successor to
the Society of Geologists and Geophysicists, Lagos (SGGL), an earlier
gathering of petroleum earth scientists in Lagos, Nigeria, in the mid-1970s.
The SGGL itself was the brainchild of a young Mobil geologist, Akomeno
Oteri, who got the idea from visiting Dallas and attending the monthly
meeting of SEG there.
The initial meeting was attended by 10 people.
NAPE emerged from this humble beginning with new technical programs
covering all the areas of oil exploration and production in Nigeria.
Lunch-hour technical meetings were introduced, which were particularly
popular with the membership.
Today, NAPE has 1,300 members located in Lagos, Benin City, Warri and
Port Harcourt, and 75 supportive corporate members. Membership benefits
include:
- Free attendance
at the monthly technical and business meetings.
- Personal
copies of the NAPE bulletins and newsletters.
- Access
to the up-to-date Resource Library at NAPE headquarters.
One of the major aspects of NAPE is the NAPE Foundation, patterned after
the AAPG Foundation but intended to sustain the technical programs and
administrative expenses of NAPE.
A significant portion of the Foundation is devoted to the NAPE-University
Assistance Program, which helps maintain improved standards of scholarship
and teaching in Nigeria's institutions of higher learning.
NAPE, in cooperation with Petroleum Prospects International, a Houston-based
international service company, also awards scholarships to Nigerian
students pursuing first and second university degrees.
The flagship activity of NAPE is the annual international conference
and exhibition, which is held about the third week of November. At this
conference, several high quality technical and business papers are presented.
The best paper award at each conference is the most prestigious prize
in the industry and possibly the most visible achievement by any company
or professional group in the country.
NAPE's profile in the overall polity of Nigeria is very high:
- The association's
elected officials have given depositions at the country's Senate and
House of Representatives.
- Government
officials have consulted with NAPE in the past on issues relevant to
the oil industry.
In many instances, NAPE is regarded as a partner in progress by successive
governments in the country. For instance, the association has provided
the main forum for public reviewing of the progress of the Niger Delta
Stratigraphic Committee — a government-sponsored oil industry initiative
to standardize stratigraphic definitions and characterize the stratigraphic
and structural elements of the Niger Delta.
NAPE is an affiliated society of AAPG, with whom it shares many objectives.
Several members of NAPE are also members of AAPG. NAPE members serve
in the various committees, divisions and the House of Delegates (HoD)
of AAPG.
Last November, NAPE celebrated its 25th anniversary and 18th international
conference and exhibition at the Cultural Center in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State of Nigeria. It was a successful meeting with active participation
of operating and service companies in Nigeria. The number of exhibiting
companies was an all-time record.
Recently, the executive committee of NAPE approved the hosting of a
joint AAPG-NAPE Regional conference in Nigeria in 2004. Relevant contacts
and preparations are going on to make this a reality.
NAPE is committed to exposing its members to current developments in
the field of oil and gas exploration and development, including technological
advancement and business processes. To this end, the association has
a vast 2002 program comprised of workshops, seminars, business/technical
lectures and short courses.
The
abstract deadline for this fall's AAPG international meeting in Cairo,
Egypt, has been extended to April 23.
"Ancient
Oil — New Energy" is the theme for this year's International Petroleum
Conference and Exhibition, set for Oct. 27-30 in the Cairo International
Conference Centre.
Also,
be sure to visit AAPG's exhibits at the upcoming meetings:
- GEO2002,
April 15-17, Manama, Bahrain.
- Offshore
Technology Conference, May 7-9, Houston.
- EAGE, May
27-30, Florence, Italy.