A Composite Profile: Raising the Bar in Petroleum Technology and Human Capacity Development

The intrinsic returns on investment in human capital development are inestimable. The smartest and most successful business organizations world-wide are re-energized on the tripod of information, knowledge and insight.

It is in this perspective that the Petroleum Technology Development Journal ( PTDJ) comes into sharp focus. The Journal, first published in 2001 as Petroleum Training Journal, is a bi-annual knowledge bank that was initiated by the Forum of Training Managers in the petroleum sector in Nigeria (upstream, downstream, and midstream companies), and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI). It is a not-for-profit educational and professional project which functions as fertilizer for stimulating the growth and development of the petroleum sector.

The driving force of the Journal is to raise the bar in petroleum technology and human capital development through the dissemination of information to enhance knowledge and thus, propel the quest for excellence in the petroleum sector. The PTDJ stands out in promoting the understanding of training, development, and the diverse issues in the petroleum sector through in-depth study and lucid analysis.

It is now acclaimed as a reference point in the industry, and it attained the first position in the Engineering and Technology Category in the National Universities Commission (NUC) 2005 ranking. In effect, the  Journal has become a rallying point for the best of minds, a veritable resource center and market-place of ideas in the energy sector.

The Journal facilitates a viable, virile and vantage international forum for the inter-change of ideas on a broad spectrum of issues in the oil and gas sector, but with emphasis on  technology development, training and training strategies. Among the broad issues covered are: community relations, social and environmental concerns. Articles and case studies on all aspects of petroleum exploration and production, distribution, marketing, and services are featured. The features which are painstakingly researched, are incisive, thought-provoking and above all, authoritative.

NUC Benchmark: The Journal attained the first position in the Engineering and Technology Category in the National Universities Commission (NUC) 2005 ranking. In effect, the Journal has become a rallying point for the best of minds, a veritable resource centre and market-place of ideas in the energy sector.

Glossary of Petroleum Industry Terms: A Glossary of Petroleum Industry Terms, authored by Dr. Momodu Kassim-Momodu, with a Foreword written by Dr. Edmund Daukoru, past President of OPEC, and former Nigerian Minister of State for Energy was formally presented to the public by Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum on October 21, 2008 at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Global Front: At the international level,  the Journal had in the past attempted to develop working cooperation with some outfits for the purpose of international networking and circulation. Among such outfits are International Human Resources Development Corporation (IHRDC), Crown Agents, African Books Collectives Ltd, Oxford, UK. The  Journal also attempted hatching a symbiotic relationship with Getenergy (UK) Limited – Global Education and Training in Energy Consultants. In this regard, the  Journal participated at the Getenergy Annual Event for Global Education and Training in Energy in Dubai in March 2006. Both organisations jointly hosted the Getenergy African Regional Forum and PTJ Summit of Stakeholders in September 2006 in order to harness the benefits of synergy.

PTJ Summit of Stakeholders: The Summit of Stakeholders, which was sponsored by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC – NAPIMS) was held on the 18th September 2006 in Abuja to review the progress of the journal, and also, chart and agree on a clear mandate of actions to move the it forward in order to consolidate on the initial successes and ensure a much stronger and sustainable impact both locally and internationally. This was also an opportunity for the stakeholders to decide on taking full ownership and increased responsibility for the Journal.

Target Audience: By and large, the  Journal appeals to players, not only in the oil and gas sector, but also, consulting firms, research institutes and the academic community.

Stakeholders: A long list of organizations  have engraved their names on the scroll of honoure for their institutional support for the vision of the Journal. In this regard, a few shining examples of social responsibility will suffice. NNPC (NAPIMS) sponsored the first PTJ Summit of Stakeholders in September 2006. The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited was the single largest donor towards the printing of the maiden issue of PTJ Vol. 1 No. 1 June 2001. Chevron Nigeria Limited  hosted the  Secretariat and funded the day to day recurrent expenses  from its inception in 2001 till January 2011. The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds the printing and took over full responsibility and publishing of the Journal from January 2011. There is also a concert of motley stakeholders who are actively supporting the vision of the journal through very active participation in the Editorial Board, contribution of articles and advertisements.

Management: The journal is managed by the Editorial Board with logistics and administrative support from PTDF. The Editorial Board seeks the advice of the Executive Secretary of PTDF and professionals in the petroleum industry as well as specialist external assessors.