The upcoming Oil & Gas Africa conference, which will be held at the Cape Town Convention Centre, on March 14, will take a look at growth projections for these sectors in Southern and East Africa, while also discussing possible challenges the industry might face in the coming year.

The conference, which forms part of the Oil & Gas Africa 2012 trade exhibition, will include speakers such as technology and information supplier Schlumberger East Southern Africa business devel-opment manager Nick de Blocq.

His view is that the region holds a treasure trove of oppor-tunities for the local oil and gas sectors and his presentation will focus on ‘African Business Opportunities in Southern and East Africa’.

Local content is becoming an important component in the exploration and production requirements of countries in the region, and international companies need to form strategic partnerships with States and local companies to facilitate this.

De Blocq says some of the biggest opportunities in the oil and gas sector in Southern and East Africa relate to the provision of services – engineering support, logistics expertise, consumables supply, inspection services fully conversant with current industry requirements and freight forwardering with customs links. There are also opportunities for suitably qualified and aggressive local technicians, engineers and geologists who demonstrate a passion for the industry.

Constraints preventing Southern and East Africa from fully leveraging their opportunities would also be probed. The most common obstacle is the temptation to change the rules mid-game.

The conference is organised in association with the South African Oil and Gas Alliance and the South Africa Agency for the Promotion of Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation.

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