Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award winner
Nosa Omorodion is adamant that a single-minded focus on hydrocarbons should not be the model for the next generation of geoscience leaders.
“These days, it’s not just enough to be a damn good geologist!” he said.
A 34-year veteran of the oil and gas industry and current executive director of SLB (formerly Schlumberger) in Nigeria, Omorodion is this year’s Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award winner.
“If I kept a closed mind and was sufficient with what I knew, I surely would not have made it this far. So, every day I strive to acquire more knowledge, to learn new things, while trying to innovate and reinforce what I know,” he said.
A Citizen of the World
Omorodion started as a geologist trainee in 1989 at the Geological Survey of Nigeria. His career has spanned the value chain of the upstream sectors: consulting, oilfield service, indigenous independents and international oil companies. That is not what has impacted him the most, though.
“What stands out for me, however, remains the many young men and women I do encounter daily,” he said.
The joy of his journey, Omorodion said, is in the feedback he hears from them about the values he helped to instill in them.
“I wouldn’t trade that for the world, for I have also had leaders who nurtured and challenged me to become better by giving me opportunities to hone my knowledge and skills in petroleum geosciences and personal development,” he said.
“The experiences gathered remain priceless and have shaped me to be a better citizen of the world,” he added.
Leadership requires deliberate connection, setting a clear vision and direction, and giving a sense of inspiration to those you are leading and imparting the same passion for the objective and sense of ownership that you feel, Omorodion explained. It comes, he insists, from giving adequate attention to the overall goal of the organization and by sharing not just the goal, but the zeal.
“Personally, I have always believed in leading by example and leading in service. I have devoted years of my life to mentoring young people, contributing to the ecosystems of which I belong, and sharing knowledge as the chair of multiple global organizations.”
He calls this “servant leadership.”
He said people will follow you when you give them someone worth following.
“I believe that when we do the right thing and that what we do inspires people around us, people will follow us naturally, confident of the fact that one is able to add value to their lives in one way or the other,” he said.
Geology, in that respect, is like any other field.
“Like an artist, a leader inspires and gives perspectives on the conditions of his subject and the goal he must achieve. He then excites and motivates the followers by bringing them closer to each other and to him,” he related.
The journey becomes easier because all concerned are closer to the targeted goals of the organization.
“Geology is about people and the rich development history of how to explore and find oil regardless of today’s changing narrative.”
Needs Beyond Oil
Regarding that changing narrative – Omorodion noted that, while the need for oil remains, there are needs beyond that to consider as well.
“Today more than before, there is a need to address sustainability across the globe. We need to think about the planet,” he said.
This hasn’t always been the case.
“For decades, we have not given a lot of care in the way we treat our planet, and that needs to change. We need to be that change,” he added.
To achieve that sustainability, the industry must foster innovation, he said.
“We cannot solely rely on the previous or existing technologies to achieve sustainable goals,” Omorodion said.
Professionals in the industry need to think differently, to think big, to be bold in their way of operating.
“We need to explore new domains, new fields of activities. With passion, dedication and engagement, I am sure that we can breakthrough,” he said.
He is sure of that, he said, as long as the desire is there.
“In summary, the zeal that is needed should be focused on going past the exploration and production of oil,” he said.
And here he is talking to all geoscientists – that their zeal should extend to becoming well-versed in the practical, fiscal and political complexities of the industry, not just the geology.
Omorodion has been with SLB for more than two decades and is working toward what he calls “the greatest balancing act,” which is to provide reliable, accessible energy to meet today’s growing demand, while also rapidly decarbonizing for a sustainable future.
“For nearly a century, we have delivered innovative solutions to the oil and gas industry by providing services and equipment that drive performance. And now the objective is to reach zero-gas emissions by 2050,” he noted.
And, his passion for this is evident.
“The media coverage of the climate and issues surrounding it sometimes presents a false sense of balance by giving equal weight to opposing viewpoints, even when there is an overwhelming scientific consensus. This created the perception that there is more disagreement among scientists than there actually is, contributing to public doubt,” he explained.
And nowhere will the success or failure of that effort be seen more than in Africa.
“The future of petroleum geology in Africa will be shaped by a range of factors, including shifts in global energy demand, technological advancements in exploration and production, and growing concerns around climate change and sustainable energy sources,” he said.
‘We Must Act’
While the African continent undergoes a sea change in the history of its hydrocarbon development, considering the huge exploration finds that have been announced over the last year, he said the coming energy landscape will provide geologists a unique opportunity to reinvent themselves with technology and digital opportunities.
“While the exact trajectory of the industry remains the subject of multiple debates, one thing is certain: Fossil fuel is not ending anytime soon. The technological advances in the field will allow us to extract more petroleum with better efficiency. The climate crisis is upon us; global temperatures are rising, and the impacts are already being felt,” he said.
“Regardless of our sector or personal profile or nationality,” he said, “we must act.”
“There is always something more to learn, to teach. I would say that having an open mind is key. Science is a fascinating field that evolves very fast. Everyday around the world, there is a new advancement, innovation, new way of doing things,” he said.
As a leader who is being recognized for his work – the Halbouty Award is given in recognition of outstanding and exceptional leadership in the petroleum geosciences – he speaks of the work that needs to be done and the changing role of what it means to lead those who will do it.
“Our role is not only to advocate, educate and make credible socio-economic investments … but also to start taking actions in protecting and tackling climate change with sustainable solutions. If we are to wait until every single person is onboard before we take climate action, until everyone has reconciled whatever personal values they hold onto with the realities of science, I am afraid it may be too late,” he said.