By Genesis Ogiri
ABUJA – Professor of Energy Policy and Management, Eur Ing Professor Chinedu Ogwus, has called on the Federal Government, oil and gas operators, regulators, and investors to accelerate the deployment of robotics and autonomous systems to combat crude oil theft, protect critical energy infrastructure, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
The Regional Director for West Africa, Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Technical Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) International, made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 25th anniversary edition of NOG Energy Week 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking before government officials, regulators, executives of international and indigenous oil companies, investors, researchers, and technology providers, Professor Chinedu said Nigeria must embrace intelligent technologies to safeguard its oilfields, improve operational efficiency, and maintain its competitiveness in the evolving global energy industry. He described robotics as a strategic tool that is already transforming petroleum operations across leading oil-producing nations.
Delivering a presentation titled “Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in Nigeria’s Oilfields through Robotics and Autonomous Systems,” he said crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, and equipment sabotage continue to undermine Nigeria’s petroleum sector, resulting in significant production losses and revenue leakages. According to him, robotics offers a practical and sustainable solution to these longstanding challenges.
Professor Chinedu explained that autonomous drones, robotic surveillance systems, artificial intelligence-powered cameras, and intelligent sensor networks can provide round-the-clock monitoring of pipelines, wellheads, flow stations, and export terminals. He noted that such technologies enable operators and security agencies to detect suspicious activities in real time, respond swiftly to security breaches, and significantly reduce oil theft and infrastructure damage.
Beyond security, the energy policy expert highlighted the role of robotics in improving upstream oil and gas operations through automated drilling support, robotic pipeline integrity inspections, predictive maintenance, intelligent asset monitoring, and robotic tank inspections. He said these innovations reduce equipment downtime, lower maintenance costs, improve operational efficiency, and maximize production from existing assets.
Professor Chinedu further emphasized that robotics is redefining workplace safety by reducing human exposure to hazardous environments. He said remotely operated inspection systems, robotic crawlers, autonomous drones, and underwater robotic vehicles now perform tasks previously carried out manually in offshore facilities, confined spaces, and other high-risk operational areas, thereby improving both worker safety and inspection accuracy.
Speaking on environmental sustainability, he said robotics and artificial intelligence are enabling energy companies to detect methane leaks, monitor emissions, strengthen environmental compliance, and improve emergency response capabilities. According to him, these technologies support responsible hydrocarbon development while aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition objectives and global environmental commitments.
The presentation featured practical case studies on robotic pipeline inspections, AI-driven predictive maintenance, intelligent asset monitoring, and robotic tank inspection technologies currently deployed in major oil-producing countries. Delegates also witnessed a demonstration of Elon Musk’s Optimus humanoid robot, illustrating the growing role of advanced robotics in industrial operations and the future of human-robot collaboration within the energy sector.
Participants described the keynote as timely and insightful, noting that wider adoption of robotics could significantly improve Nigeria’s energy security, reduce operational risks, and accelerate the digital transformation of the petroleum industry.
Professor Chinedu reaffirmed the commitment of the Society of Petroleum Engineers International’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section to promoting research, innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building across Africa, expressing confidence that sustained investment in intelligent automation would position Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for long-term growth and global competitiveness.
