Cameron outlines operations in West Africa

Oil and gas company, Cameron, outlines its current projects and future prospects in Nigeria and beyond

What services does Cameron offer?
For leading oil and gas business, Cameron is the flow equipment expert focused on continuously raising customer performance through our global manufacturing, sales and service network, market leadership and solid execution.

You have been working in Nigeria and West Africa for a while now. Can you please tell us what projects you are most proud of to date? What projects are you looking forward to in future?
Cameron has been in Nigeria for almost 40 years, continually investing to provide operations and subcontract operations to support a number of large-scale projects. Most recently, we fabricated our first subsea Christmas tree frame in Nigeria for the Usan project. Our goal is to continue to support the developments in Nigeria and increase local content through our effective programs of knowledge transfer, training and business opportunities for local suppliers.

Nigeria Content Seminar, the fourth day of NOG 2012, will look in-depth at the sustainable potential of the Local Content Act, training initiatives for Nigerian youths and companies’ local planning. How has the bill affected Cameron as an international working in Nigeria?
Cameron Offshore Systems Nigeria Ltd. began working toward Nigerian content long before the Local Content Act became a legal requirement. In 2002, Cameron began the replacement of expat engineers with Nigerian nationals. This was unconventional at the time because operators were accustomed to using expats to run and install their surface wellheads and Christmas trees. Cameron had many experienced nationals that were qualified, but had been given little opportunity to showcase their skills. By the end of 2002, all surface equipment was being installed by Nigerian service engineers.

When projects such as ERHA began, Cameron immediately started sending Nigerian engineers to Leeds, England, for training and involvement in the first system integration testing (SIT), which was completed in Choba. Today, Nigerians are involved in all aspects of Cameron’s subsea operations, including equipment installation, repair and the assembly of Christmas trees in Onne Port.

Working in Nigeria has, therefore, enabled Cameron to adopt a more global approach to pursuing a competitive advantage in-country, while imparting knowledge and delivering skills transfer, enabling Nigerian nationals to support operations and customers locally.

And what do you think is key in making the act sustainable?
The key to making the act sustainable is the release of projects on a regular basis that will enable engineers in training today to maintain their knowledge and grow their experience. Continuation of this knowledge and skills transfer will result in the growth of local capabilities to support the evolution of the industry in Nigeria.

Cameron has a prime location at the sold-out NOG 2012 Exhibition. Can you tell us what you will be showcasing and what visitors can look forward to?
We are showcasing our local content operations and experience in Nigeria, including the milestones over the last four decades and our investment in the local communities. We also are promoting the future planned investments that Cameron is undertaking.

www.c-a-m.com