OTC 202: Solewant Showcases Energy Technology, Spotlights Nigeria’s Industrial Capacity

Nigeria’s energy sector drew significant international attention at the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, as indigenous firm Solewant Group showcased its latest industrial and pipeline technology before global industry leaders, investors and policymakers.

The four-day conference, held from May 4 to May 7 under the theme, “Steering Offshore Energy Innovation into the Future,” brought together more than 25,000 participants from over 100 countries for technical sessions, executive dialogues and investment discussions focused on the future of offshore energy.

Nearly 1,000 companies participated in the exhibition, including major international oil firms, technology providers and energy transition companies. Solewant Group maintained one of the largest private exhibition stands within the Nigerian Pavilion.

The company used the platform to showcase its expanding industrial operations in Nigeria, particularly its integrated energy infrastructure hub located in Alode/Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Speaking during the exhibition, the Executive Director of Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints Limited (SSPC), Isa Momodu, said the company was positioning itself as a major African player in industrial manufacturing, pipe coating and energy infrastructure development.

Momodu, who also serves as Solewant Group’s head in the United States, led the company’s delegation alongside the General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Dr Felix Onyela.

Presenting on behalf of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, Mr Solomon Ewanehi, Onyela said the company had developed solutions aimed at addressing long-standing technical challenges in pipeline coating and corrosion management.

According to him, Solewant established a specialised pipe bend coating facility in July 2025 to tackle difficulties associated with applying multi-layer coating systems to irregular pipeline fittings such as bends, tees and flanges.

He explained that failures in coating such fittings had historically contributed to corrosion, pipeline leaks, environmental damage and revenue losses across the oil and gas industry.

“To address this challenge, we partnered with Euro-American original equipment manufacturers to develop and commission a state-of-the-art pipe bend coating plant at our industrial park in Rivers State,” Onyela said.

He noted that the facility now supports coating operations for pipeline projects involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and several engineering, procurement and construction firms.

Onyela also disclosed that the company was expanding its operations through investments in steel pipe manufacturing, advanced laboratory facilities and automated specialty paints production.

He added that an automated specialty coating and paints manufacturing plant being developed by SSPC is expected to commence operations in July 2026.

According to him, Solewant’s expansion strategy reflects a broader ambition to strengthen local industrial capacity and reduce dependence on imported infrastructure solutions within Africa’s energy sector.

The company also highlighted the activities of its subsidiaries, including Solewant Nigeria Limited, Field Joint Coatings Limited, Pipes and Metals Industries Limited, and the Solewant Energy Training Institute.

The training institute, according to the company, focuses on technical certification and workforce development for Africa’s oil and gas industry.

Excluding Solewant’s participation, the OTC conference featured several high-level engagements involving government officials and energy industry executives.

One of the major highlights was an address delivered by Guyanese President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who called for a more balanced and pragmatic approach to global energy transition policies.

The Nigerian Pavilion was officially opened by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

Speaking during a session organised by the NUPRC and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Eyesan revealed that nearly 300 local and foreign companies had applied for the 50 oil blocks currently available under Nigeria’s 2025 licensing round.

She attributed the strong investor interest to reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act and recent policy adjustments aimed at improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global upstream market.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of PETAN, Mr Wole Ogunsanya, stressed the need for modern technology and strategic partnerships to help Nigeria raise crude oil production to three million barrels per day within the next five years.

According to him, achieving higher production levels would require substantial investment in modern equipment and advanced exploration technology.

OTC Board Chairman, Dan McConnell, said the conference reflected the growing importance of offshore energy in the context of global energy security and industrial transformation.

He noted that discussions at the conference demonstrated how technology, innovation and cross-border collaboration were increasingly shaping the future of the global energy industry.