Digital transformation and data science are critical to unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential—Chukwuma Atuanya

Chukwuma Atuanya, a petroleum geologist and project manager with nearly two decades of experience, has led groundbreaking subsurface technology deployments and major capital projects in Nigeria’s energy sector.

In this exclusive interview, Atuanya discusses the evolution of technology in the energy industry, his passion for mentoring upcoming professionals, and the key factors that will shape future growth in Nigeria’s energy sector. He also shares insights on how he combines technical expertise and leadership to drive innovation and build high-performing teams. Abubakar Ibrahim brings excerpts:

Can you walk us through your journey as a petroleum geologist and project manager? How did you evolve into a specialist in subsurface measurement, detection, and modelling technologies?

My journey began around 2000, when I attended a career talk sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The study of rocks for hydrocarbon exploration, as well as the similarities between medicine and geology regarding the deployment of cutting-edge technologies like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), piqued my interest as a university student. The talk inspired me to change course from pre-medicine to geology, and the rest, as they say, is history.

My evolution as an O&G industry specialist is driven by multiple technical, leadership, and project management certifications along with nearly 20 years’ experience in the Nigerian energy sector working for Chevron Corporation.

Over the course of my career, I have taken on multiple technical and leadership roles of increasing responsibility, such as Reservoir Modeller, Lead Exploration Geologist, Field Unitisation Project Manager, Asset Divestment Technical Lead, and Earth Science Team Lead; and I am presently overseeing highly complex drilling and completion projects in the Permian Basin (USA).

I have had the unique opportunity to recommend, test, and deploy a wide array of tools and systems to improve O&G reservoir characterisation, production, and drilling, including coring tools, wireline, resistivity, logging while drilling, surveillance (cased hole logging), fluid sampling, and more.

I’ve also been responsible for leading highly challenging, multidisciplinary projects in Nigeria and the USA, within and across multiple companies through joint venture and field unitisation-related activities.

How do you approach the integration of these cutting-edge tools and methodologies into real-world field operations, particularly in the Nigerian energy landscape?

The Nigerian energy industry and associated field operations have their niche challenges, ranging from pipeline vandalisation, ageing facilities, mature “brown” fields, and deeper or offset target reservoirs.

A savvy investor must approach these asset development challenges with a Minimum Functional Objective (MFO) mindset, where a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is established that can achieve the key data acquisition or development project objectives before any enhancements are included in the program.

This approach employs sound decision criteria in identifying and deploying cost-efficient, high-value tools and technology in the exploration and development of oil and gas resources.

However, challenges such as high cost, lack of focused training, arresting natural attrition due to an exodus of retirement-age practitioners, and guaranteeing knowledge transfer within the industry must be overcome to successfully integrate these tools and methodologies.

Which specific projects or case studies best exemplify your impact on improving exploration or production efficiency through technology?

I have been involved in multiple major capital projects over the course of my career, ranging from drilling and completions to new technology deployment and asset evaluation and divestment, and I am proud to have recorded several significant achievements that have positively impacted my employer, my country, Nigeria, and the global energy industry.

One project that stands out is the coordination of the technical scope for a third-party-funded $1.4 billion infill development drilling and completion project, which led to a significant production uplift for Nigeria and provided multiple local content opportunities.

“These novel tools improved acquisition speed while maintaining data quality and allowed the execution team to make quicker decisions, thereby saving time and money on the project.”

The project was quite challenging given the strong headwinds from COVID-19 disruption, the higher cost regime, and technical resource limitations. Despite these challenges, we delivered solid results through effective planning, execution discipline, fit-for-purpose data acquisition, and real-time monitoring, using high-speed telemetry and communication between novel downhole Logging While Drilling tools and surface systems.

These novel tools improved acquisition speed while maintaining data quality and allowed the execution team to make quicker decisions, thereby saving time and money on the project.

My expertise also proved crucial in identifying key subsurface risks and uncertainties, developing contingency plans, and deploying flexible workflows during the design and execution phase, leading to recognition by the business unit and corporate leadership.

Nigeria’s upstream sector is evolving. What key technological advancements do you see driving growth in the next five to ten years?

Subsurface measurement and characterisation tools have continuously evolved over the course of my career. From the manual days of the light table to the advent of computer-based applications like Landmark’s ZMAP, Paradigm’s EPOS, and Schlumberger’s PETREL, there has been an exponential increase in computing power and simple, user-friendly graphic interfaces with strong data integration capabilities, leading to increased productivity and decision-making in the global energy industry.

Digital transformation and data science will be key enablers for sustained growth and improved productivity within Nigeria and indeed across the globe. The key enabler for future growth, however, lies in data integration using agile high-value tools, competency development, and strategic staffing of well-groomed professionals within companies.

What role do you believe digital transformation and data science will play in the future of Nigeria’s energy industry?

Digital transformation is a key enabler to stimulating growth in Nigeria and the global energy sector. Digital technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics will fundamentally change how companies operate and deliver value to countries, partners, and shareholders.

The deployment of these technologies will improve efficiency and productivity by streamlining and optimising existing processes; it will also encourage innovation, adaptability, and a data-driven mindset. There will also be a cultural shift to simpler, more direct decision-making, leading to faster execution of projects and higher return on investment.

Data science has already enabled the use of Python scripts and Power BI dashboards to simplify workflows and improve collaboration and communication of key parameters and metrics across teams. Microsoft’s Teams and Copilot applications have improved communication and the time required to summarise meeting outcomes and arrive at aligned decisions.

I strongly believe that both digital transformation and data science will be critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s energy industry and guaranteeing energy security.

What policy or investment shifts do you think are needed to encourage broader implementation of high-impact technologies in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry?

The Federal Government of Nigeria has made some progress towards attracting foreign direct investment by introducing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and conducting Marginal Field Bidding rounds (MFBRs) in recent times.

However, to really stimulate future growth, the focus should shift to strict regulatory compliance, stiffer penalties including relinquishment of undeveloped acreages, deployment of a Minimum Functional Objective (MFO) investor mindset for major capital projects, and exploring more creative funding models like third-party funding, etc.

The deployment of high-impact technologies will be driven by the economic viability of the Niger Delta basin’s remaining reserves, contingent and undiscovered resources. Nigeria’s quest to increase daily production to 2 million barrels of oil per day is achievable if the appropriate steps are taken; more indigenous companies should be incentivised to form strong technical partnerships and take over existing marginal fields and surface infrastructure divested by the international oil companies.

However, the real game changer lies in creating and implementing cost-effective strategies to fully monetise gas and data-driven exploration for low-sulphur-content hydrocarbons, particularly within the undiscovered vertical and areal sections of the Niger Delta sedimentary basin.

Recent technological advancements in the energy sector have birthed generative AI-driven tools, which identify prospective areas, reduce exploration prospect maturation cycle times, and rank prospects using defined parameters for portfolio optimisation.

New drilling, reservoir surveillance, and rigless intervention tools exist that optimise logging speed and costs and improve estimated ultimate recovery from O&G fields.

You’re known for mentoring the next generation of energy professionals. What motivates your commitment to this cause?

I am driven by an innate desire to build technical competency, drive innovation, and standardise workflows among energy professionals within and across companies. I am very active in coaching and onboarding new hires and junior geologists, mentoring interns and young professionals, and participating in recruitment activities within my company.

I thoroughly enjoy these opportunities to expose mentees to the intricacies of the energy industry, share lessons learnt over my close to 20-year career, and communicate strategies for building rewarding careers in the energy sector.

I am also very active in local and international conferences like the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), the Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and the Nigerian Mining and Geology Society (NMGS), recognised as an Energy Subject Matter Expert (SME), and regularly serve as a peer reviewer and session chair to judge the work of others within and outside of my company.

I also contribute to knowledge-sharing events, geology communities of practice, and other O&G technical sessions. The Nigerian O&G industry needs a pipeline of agile, knowledgeable talent, and I am committed to contributing my quota to nation-building.

What are some common skills or mindset gaps you observe in young geoscientists or engineers entering the industry, and how can they address them?

A gap analysis I conducted recently indicated that young petrotechs (student interns and new hires) typically lack sufficient exposure to the latest subsurface concepts, techniques, technology, and tools. Some government agencies (e.g., ITF, PTDF) and professional bodies (e.g., NMGS, NAPE, and SPE) have tried to bridge this gap through internships, tech shares, and mentoring sessions; however, the onus is on every young professional to seek opportunities for more exposure and competency development through online resources, technical training, and workshops.

One mindset gap I have observed is the tendency of these young professionals to be “remuneration driven” and not “passion driven” in seeking employment or career advancement in the energy industry. We are all motivated by reward; however, a successful career requires passion and dedication towards acquiring new skills and competencies.

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