National associations the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on capacity building initiatives and standardisation to enhance safety, environmental protection and sustainability in African countries producing natural gas and oil.

“API is pleased to collaborate with the AEC to expand use of our world-class standards and programmes to help enhance the safety, transparency and sustainability of natural gas and oil operations across the African continent.

“This is our first partnership with an Africa-based organisation, and we look forward to supporting AEC’s efforts to drive industry-wide technical knowledge,” API segment standards and services VP Alexa Burr said this week.

The number of petroleum-producing countries in Africa has increased substantially, coinciding with a movement across the continent to enact robust, equitable and imminently more transparent policies, the organisations noted.

They highlighted that this continent-wide pursuit to increase the technical capacity of local organisations was of paramount importance in these natural gas and oil economies.

It would be vital for public and private representatives of African host economies to work with the international petroleum industry to help ensure the developmental needs of the local markets were met while maintaining policies that allowed for oil sector investment in these economies and accelerating the adoption of industry practices that enhance safety and environmental protection, the organisations noted.

The MoU would facilitate collaboration between API and AEC member in several areas including development of training programmes and seminars; coordination, collaboration and sharing of the industry’s good practices; and organisation of events around energy issues and the continued multifaceted use of natural gas.