PTDF moves to boost indigenous manpower in oil sector

THE Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has boosted the contribution of local manpower in the oil and gas sector through the production of zeolite in the country.

Zeolite is an important chemical substance for petroleum refining and for a variety of applications in the petrochemical industry. The major raw material used in the development of the product is the Kankara clay, which is obtained in Kankara local government area of Katsina state.

Speaking at the commissioning of the plant located within the premises of the Ahamdu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, the Executive Secretary of PTFD, Femi Ajayi lauded the Prof. A.S Ahmed who discovered the technology.

Represented by the General Manager, Nigerian Content Department, PTDF, Ms Jacquelin Guyil, Ajayi congratulated the chair occupant of the PTDF Professorial Chair holder in Chemical Engineering, ABU, Prof Ahmed for the successful end of tenure and described the chair endowment in the university as one of the various laudable programmes and projects initiated and implemented by PTDF to develop relevant indigenous technology for the oil and gas industry.

The PTDF reiterated the Fund’s resolve to continue to invest in research as one of the vehicles through which the PTDF pursues its mandate.

His words: “In Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the issue of Zeolite development is today a success story. It is with delight and high sense of fulfillment to note the tremendous breakthrough in application of novel technology in Zeolite development for industrial use in the country. I congratulate the chair occupant Professor A.S Ahmed whose tenure is coming to an end as well as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for this great feat. In recognition of this breakthrough, PTDF filed for and obtained the intellectual property right and patent on Zeolite Y catalyst, while the IPR/P on Zeolite ZSM-5 is being processed by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment”.

Ajayi hinted that the Fund has commenced the process of developing an acceptable and implementable template on the research commercialization with a view to reaping dual benefits of achieving the Fund mandate and opening a window for additional source of revenue.The PTDF boss added: “Further to this sound success, our humble expectation is that oil and gas operators will buy-in and collaborate with PTDF in a bid to effectively standardize this noble research product for national use by the existing four refineries.