The 32nd annual international conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE took place at the Eko Hotel & convention Centre, Lagos from 9th – 13th November 2014. This year’s conference themed ‘The future of hydrocarbon exploration- Drilling Deeper & Searching wider’ had ~850 attendees from the Nigerian upstream industry. The conference featured over 133 oral and poser technical presentations related to the conference theme alongside a vibrant exhibition featuring 41 corporate exhibitors made ups of IOCs, independents, indigenous operators, associations and government agencies.
The conference accommodated the needs of various niches within the profession through the various events, programs and sessions, and featured six pre-conference short courses and a field trip, two special management sessions, a pre-conference workshop titled ‘ Driving an executable gas flare-out agenda for Nigeria’s oil & gas industry’, an Icebreaker cocktail & fellows night and an All-conventions Luncheon featuring inspiring business development strategies by some of Africa’s most successful businessmen and industrialists.
NAPE officially affiliated with AAPG in 1994. During the twenty years of affiliation, both associations have been of mutual benefit to one another having several landmark collaborations such as the Field Immersive Program, AAPG-NAPE YP events, student chapters’ collaborations, distinguished lecturer programs and technical and professional seminars & exchanges.
The 20th year of affiliation was marked during the opening ceremony of this year’s NAPE conference, with a speech delivered on behalf of Randi Martinsen (AAPG President) & David Blanchard (President, AAPG Africa Region) by Mr. Nosa Omorodion (Africa Region representative on the AAPG Advisory Council).
AAPG Africa Region was well represented by Africa Region’s Vice President, Mr. Femi Esan, Immediate Past President, Mr. Gilbert Odior, Programs Coordinators Mrs. Tunbosun Afolayan (student chapters), Mr. Adelola Adesida (IBA), Mr. Lere Olopade (Distinguished Lectures) and Programs Manager, Delia Kuye. AAPG Africa Region maintained a booth at the exhibition and jointly hosted the Local Student Chapter Leadership Summit (L-SCLS) and Young Professionals activities with NAPE.