--> Developing World Class Deepwater Capabilities: Value Creation through Partnerships, by James Pearce, Nita Nautiyal, and Tad Schirmer; #90037 (2005)

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Developing World Class Deepwater Capabilities: Value Creation through Partnerships

James Pearce1, Nita Nautiyal2, and Tad Schirmer1
1 ChevronTexaco Nigeria Limited, Lagos, Nigeria
2 ChevronTexaco Nigeria Limited, Houston, TX

ChevronTexaco's deepwater portfolio in Nigeria is robust covering 11 production sharing contract blocks, representing the largest deepwater acreage holding in the country. ChevronTexaco is either operator or technical adviser in half of these blocks. Several discoveries have been made and development is proceeding on the billion barrel Agbami field in 5000 feet of water about 70 miles offshore in Nigeria.

Continuing with an aggressive exploration and appraisal program, while developing known discoveries, will require extensive in-country capacity building, national employment and new business generation. A critical success factor for this program will be the development of "deepwater organizational capability" or "OC". This will include recruiting of university graduates and some experienced hires, identification of key skills needed for deepwater exploration, development and operations, skills assessment for new hires and experienced hires, a focused development program to provide skills enhancement, and finally a comprehensive post-training evaluation program.

ChevronTexaco has developed and began implementation of the initial OC program for deepwater development. Sixteen critical skills area have been identified, a skills assessment program developed, and hiring initiated. A follow-up program covering deepwater operations is now being implemented targeted on providing a strong Nigerian-based operations group for Agbami field operations. The Agbami field is now scheduled to go on production in late 2007. Within four years of operation, the workforce will be 90% Nigerian. Further, ChevronTexaco is working closely with NAPIMS, the commercial arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, on the implementation of this program for the Agbami field with NAPIMS professionals will be participating in the OC program.

This paper will describe the elements of the ChevronTexaco deepwater OC program, progress to date in the areas of development and operations, and future plans in Nigeria.