- The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) is diversifying into renewable energy research to support the global energy transition.
- It is partnering with agencies to develop carbon capture technologies and explore hydrocarbons sustainably.
The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) announced plans to diversify into renewable energy research, reflecting a strategic response to the global energy transition.
Tina Isichie, PTI’s Director of Research & Development, briefed journalists in Abuja on Monday, October 20, ahead of the Institute’s 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbons, Science and Technology (ICHST) 2025. The conference, themed “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment and Governance,” will host industry players, government officials, and academics next week.
Meanwhile, Isichie said the world will not abandon fossil fuels entirely. “Fossil fuels remain essential. Industries still rely on petroleum by-products, including pharmaceuticals. We cannot completely abandon them,” she said. She added that PTI researches technologies to cut emissions, including carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, while developing sustainable ways to exploit hydrocarbons.
Furthermore, Samuel Onoji, PTI Chief Executive, said Africa holds 125 billion barrels of crude oil and over 600 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. He urged African leaders to develop local technologies to exploit these resources sustainably. “Global demand for fossil fuels will persist for the next 50 years. PTI aligns research and development with Africa’s hydrocarbon realities,” he said.
PTI will also use the ICHST conference to nurture the next generation of energy professionals, giving students and young researchers opportunities to interact with industry experts and strengthen their technical skills.