PS Petroleum roots for data-driven practices in oil exploration
June 2023
The Principal Secretary for Petroleum for State Department for Petroleum Mr. Mohamed Liban has called on oil industry players to embrace data-driven practices to optimize exploration, production and distribution of petroleum products.
Mr. Liban said accurate and timely data are vital enablers in making informed decisions in order to mitigate risks, maximize value of existing petroleum reserves and ensure long-term energy security leading to economic prosperity.
The PS was speaking in Mombasa County where he opened the Eighth African Petroleum Data Management Conference. He pointed out that the petroleum sector is characterized by complexity, uncertainty and evolving technologies noting that the ability to capture, manage, manipulate, analyze and visualize vast amount of data is essential to unlocking its full potential.
Mr. Liban said data management is not just about sorting, organizing, digitizing and storing information but also entails converting raw data into actionable insights thereby empowering policymakers to make informed decisions that drive efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth.
’’Effective data management in the petroleum sector is not confined to national boundaries. In this era of inter-connectedness and global partnerships, collaboration is paramount. By sharing data, best practices and knowledge, we can foster a culture of cooperation that transcends borders, ensuring that the benefits of petroleum resources are equitably distributed among nations and communities’’, he added.
He challenged the conference participants, drawn from the African continent, to leverage invaluable expertise and experience of Norway whose petroleum industry has witnessed unprecedented growth and success over the years and has become a bastion of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable practices,
Mr. Liban added “though we cannot merely tread the path walked by Norway, we need to adapt and tailor their lessons to suit our unique African context. Africa's diverse energy landscape, rich natural resources, and unique challenges require a localized approach that builds on the best practices while addressing our specific needs and aspirations”.
The PS was optimistic that though African states faced significant challenges relating to its oil and gas, greater opportunities lay before them.
“To fully capitalize on the transformative power of data management, we must prioritize several key areas including investing in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure that enables efficient data collection, storage and analysis”, the PS noted.
He however told African countries to foster a culture of data transparency, integrity and security since as custodians of vast amounts of data, they have a responsibility to protect the confidentiality, privacy, and integrity of their hydrocarbon resources.
Ends.