Shell commends energy sector reforms as gateway to unlocking oil barrels - ITREALMS

The energy giant Shell has commended recent regulatory and fiscal reforms within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, describing them as critical catalysts for the country to unlock additional oil barrels, boost reserves, and maintain global competitiveness, reports ITREALMS.

Delivering a goodwill message on Monday at the opening of the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos, the Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni, highlighted how targeted incentives are transforming the nation's energy landscape.

Aiboni acknowledged that recent fiscal and regulatory enhancements have significantly strengthened the competitiveness of Nigeria’s deepwater sector, bolstered investor confidence, and reinforced the country’s position as a premier destination for long-term energy capital.

Underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, Aiboni reaffirmed Shell’s commitment to driving sustainable growth across the upstream value chain.

"We look forward to deepening our partnership with NAPE, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), government and industry stakeholders as we work together to unlock more barrels, grow reserves, attract investment, and deliver greater value for Nigeria," Aiboni said.

The five-day flagship conference, themed "Unlocking More Barrels: Driving Reserves Growth through Exploration, Local Capabilities and Adaptive Technology," brought together geoscientists, energy executives, and policy experts from across Nigeria and the international energy community.

Aiboni described the theme as timely and directly aligned with the urgency to fortify national energy security, attract strategic capital, and commercialize Nigeria's vast natural resource potential.

The Shell Country Chair commended NAPE President Olajumoke Cecelia Ajayi and the association's executive leadership for assembling industry stakeholders around critical national priorities and fostering collaborative frameworks necessary for reserves growth.

She equally commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its persistent drive toward boosting hydrocarbon production, expanding national reserves, and maintaining a consultative regulatory environment conducive to long-term enterprise.

Reciprocating the gesture, NAPE President Ajayi commended Aiboni’s track record of executive leadership during her tenure as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), while expressing confidence in her expanded mandate overseeing Shell's strategic operations in Nigeria.

Shell serves as a principal sponsor of NAPE's 44th international conference and exhibition. Following the opening session, Aiboni led a delegation of dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, on a tour of Shell’s operational pavilion at the exhibition center.