Transforming Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector via Digital Solutions

Interswitch and Stratus Technologies have unveiled digital solutions that would transform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and enhance predictable improved production, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

The Interswitch and Stratus Technologies are forging new pathways that will usher in the era of digital transformation of the Nigerian oil and gas sector through the introduction of cutting-edge solutions.

These solutions would address numerous challenges that have been hindering the realisation of the full potential of the country’s oil and gas sector. Some of these challenges include issues such as data/cybersecurity concerns, unreliable data management systems that result in loss of data for decision making, situational analysis and reporting amidst others, which have plagued the industry and hindered growth, therefore, hampering Nigeria’s quest for energy sustainability in line with its Sustainable Development Goals.

To address these challenges, the Interswitch Group, Africa’s integrated payments and digital commerce company is partnering with the Stratus Technologies, a global technology solutions provider to spur a digital transformation in the energy sector through the introduction of a range of cutting-edge solutions.

These solutions were unveiled recently at the 2023 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week that was tagged “Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy Future,” which brought industry leaders, experts and stakeholders together to discuss the future of the country’s energy sector.

It is expected that this partnership would signify a commitment to leverage technology in driving sustainable growth and creating a resilient energy future for Nigeria.

This collaboration would also focus on enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting environmentally friendly practices by harnessing digital technologies, data analytics, and automations to minimise wastage, and ensure sustainable resource management.

Stakeholders in the sector believed that the partnership between Interswitch Group and their distributor partner Stratus Technologies holds immense potential that would revolutionise the Nigeria’s energy sector. They further believed that through the combination of their strengths, both organisations would aspire to unlock new opportunities, foster innovation, and address the pressing challenges that hinder progress in this critical sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Managing Director of Digital Infrastructure and Managed Services (Interswitch Systegra), Mr. Jonah Adams: “We are thrilled to join forces with Stratus Technologies. Through this partnership, we aim to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and industrial automation, to enhance asset integrity, optimise production processes, and minimise downtime through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, and ultimately create a more reliable, secure, and environmentally responsible energy landscape.

“Together with Stratus Technologies, we are confident that our collaborative efforts will drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and pave the way for a brighter, more resilient energy future for Nigeria.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Regional Manager Sales and Business Development Africa and the Middle East, Stratus Technologies, Mr. Pieter van der Merwen, said with enthusiasm that “the collaboration with Interswitch Group has been an extraordinary experience. By integrating our fault-tolerant edge computing platforms with Interswitch’s technological prowess, we are empowering organisations in the Nigerian oil and gas industry with unparalleled capabilities for real-time data processing, advanced analytics, and simulation.

“We take great pride in being a part of this transformative journey, facilitating improved efficiency, predictive maintenance, and cost optimisation within the sector.”

The Interswitch Group is renowned for its expertise in digital solutions, and will bring a wealth of experience and technological prowess to the table. Its aim in this partnership with Stratus Technologies is to digitally transform operations in a manner that would drive predictable, achieve peak performance with minimal risk, by ensuring continuous availability of business-critical applications like the zero-touch Edge Computing platforms that are simple to deploy and maintain, in a way that is protected from interruptions, threats, and autonomous within the sector by utilising its vast network and digital infrastructure.

On the other hand, Stratus Technologies is a noted global leader in simple, protected and autonomous Edge Computing platforms. It will be contributing its expertise in optimising complex operations to complement Interswitch Group’s strengths.

These improvements that would be experienced through the introduction of these digital solutions would not only streamline operations but also contribute to enhancing Nigeria’s environmental footprint and foster a greener, more sustainable future, and bridge the gap between traditional oil and gas operations and modern digital technologies.

In the long run, these efforts are expected to transform Nigeria’s oil and gas industry into a driver of sustainable economic growth and a beacon of energy efficiency for the African continent and beyond.

Currently, Nigeria is renowned for its vast oil and gas reserves and is ranked as the 15th largest crude oil producer in the world. For decades, the Nigerian oil and gas sector has been the cornerstone of the country’s economy, fueling employment, revenues, growth, and development.

Since the discovery of crude oil in the 1950s, the nation’s oil and gas industry has experienced a transformative journey, rapidly emerging as a significant player in the global oil market.

In search for cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy, Nigeria’s natural gas reserves have become increasingly vital, leading to significant investments in infrastructure and exploration.