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Dr-Mohammad-Sanusi-Barkindo

Petroleum industry holds night of tributes for Barkindo

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The Nigerian petroleum industry on Wednesday in Abuja held a night of tributes for the departed Dr Mohammed Barkindo, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Barkindo passed on in Abuja on Tuesday at the age of 63, and was buried on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Speaking at the ceremony which coincided with the 2022 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Award, Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., said Barkindo’s demise was a shock to the industry.

Represented by Mr Adetunji Adeyemi, the Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Kyari prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mr Mike Sangster, the Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Ltd., said the loss was for the family, the country Nigeria, the oil and gas industry and the world at large.

Sangster who was represented by Mr Charles Ebereonwu, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies Nigeria, described Barkindo as a humble and hardworking man who made enormous contributions to the oil and gas industry.

“All we can do is to pray for the family for the fortitude to bear the loss and the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest,” he said.

Also, Mr Rick Kennedy, the Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), described Barkindo as a true giant of the industry.

Kennedy said the contributions of the departed global energy leader could not be overemphasised, adding that his death was a huge loss to the sector.

On his part, Mr Osagie Okunbor, the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, said Barkindo was an iconic figure in the oil and gas industry whose death came as a very rude shock to stakeholders.

Okunbor said OPEC was able to overcome multiple crisis due to his outstanding leadership, adding that he made Nigeria and Nigerians proud on the global stage.

In his tribute, Mr Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, said Barkindo was a role model and someone worthy to be admired.

“He was the icon of our time. His death is a great loss to Nigeria. God knows best. When our time is up, there is nothing we can do.

“He has played his part and we can only continue from where he stopped,” Wabote said.

Also the organisers of the 2022 Nigeria Oil & Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition have called off the conference’s dinner/award night.

A statement by the organisers, DMG Events, said the development was in honour of the late Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Mohammad Barkindo.

NNPC, a Principal Sponsor of the event since year 2000 had requested that all outstanding activities of the conference be cancelled following the death of the late international energy icon.

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NNPC lauds Barkindo’s leadership role in OPEC

The NNPC Ltd. has commended Mohammad Barkindo, Secretary-General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on the role he played in the formation of Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between OPEC member countries and non-OPEC oil-producing countries.

The NNPC gave the commendation on Thursday when OPEC Secretary-General, hosted a working lunch for a delegation from NNPC headed by Dr Billy Okoye, Group Executive Director of Ventures and Business Development, in Vienna, Austria.

DoC was established in 2016 to accelerate the return of oil market stability following an oil market downturn.

“Secretary-General, you stood up to unprecedented challenges and you will continue to do so,” Okoye said.

Okoye also commended Barkindo for his achievements as OPEC’s Secretary-General for two successful terms.

He noted that Barkindo had been an ambassador of the corporation and Nigeria.

Responding, Barkindo highlighted Nigeria’s key role in the global oil industry, emphasising that given the country’s stature, it should continue to lead by example.

He also praised the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noting that the legal framework adopted in 2021 would help Nigeria to further develop the petroleum industry.

On oil market developments, Barkindo praised the efforts undertaken by the DoC countries in the interest of oil market stability.

He noted that the DoC was established in 2016 to accelerate the return of oil market stability following an oil market downturn.

He added that the framework continued to prove effective with the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic since 2020.

“These countries did not need to reinvent the wheel. They stepped up to the challenge and adopted the largest-in-volume and longest-induration production adjustments,” he said.

Referencing OPEC’s world oil outlook 2021, Barkindo noted that oil and gas would be accountable for more than 50 per cent of the future energy mix, highlighting that oil undoubtedly would be needed to address energy demand in the future.

The meeting also addressed a number of important issues relevant to energy, including sustainable development, climate change and the importance of investment in securing future supplies to meet energy demand.