Business
Within 2 to 3 years, lots of Mega-millionaires will come out of Africa
How do you compare in size with other local operators such as Oando?
Oando’s not very big – there’s no one as big as we are today in exploration and production. In Nigeria, there are marginal field operators who are producing 2,000- 5,000 bpd. People like us, today we’re producing 44,000 bpd! So the game has changed. We’re just doing our numbers. This year alone we should do about 4.5-5m barrels – that’s a local company, and the game is changing! But what have we done better than SPDC [Shell Petroleum Development Company] or Shell? Simple, it’s to interface with the local community. It’s not easy, don’t get me wrong.
They don’t see you as a big Lagos boy who’s coming down to throw his weight about?
No, not at all. Which side of the divide do you want to sit? We’ve said that we want to sit on the divide of the people because if you sit on their side and work them well, you’ll achieve what you want to achieve. I’ve gone to ground zero to make sure our engagement is with every community. I’ll give you an example. There is a pump station that’s been closed for seven years. Shell called me and said how the hell did you get it opened? It’s pumping 4,800 barrels today.
How’s it going with your partner Heritage oil? Are you able to pull some of its technical knowhow into your own company?
Oh, big time! The most senior director [of the joint venture] – Steve Kobak – is from Heritage. All the 22 engineers underneath him are Nigerians who are learning from him. We’ve got some in the United Kingdom back and forth. Because you see, for me, my focus is: learn, build a formidable, nimble African company.
Copyright The Africa Report 2014
