To create awareness, bolster collaboration, and acknowledge the professionals in our Subcommittee for the great job they are doing, we are going to feature Subcommittee leads in our newsletters. In this newsletter, our lead feature is Mr. Augustus Famose the Operations & Terminals Subcommittee Lead.
1. Introduce yourself and tell us about your journey to OPTS.
I started my engineering career at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos in 1984 where I obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering in 1990. My undying quest for knowledge spurred me to obtain a master’s degree (MSc) in Oil and Gas Engineering from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, the United Kingdom in 2003.
I have over 25 years’ experience in the Oil and Gas sector. During this period, I have the opportunity to work in Nigeria (Lagos and Eket, Akwa Ibom State), the USA (Gulf of Mexico), the UK (Canary Wharf), Canada (Calgary), and Malaysia (Johor Bharu). My core competencies include Upstream Operations, Shipping Operations, Crude/Products Export Operations, and Crude/Products Trading, complex commercial negotiations, etc.
With strong digital transformation initiative and effective multi-tasking skills with demonstrated ability to manage expectations and deliver results, I am currently managing a multi-million-dollar project to ensure export compliance by sourcing and installing a Floating, Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel in one of the Crude Oil Terminals in Nigeria.
I am currently the Operations and Terminals sub-committee chair, a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), and a member of Ikoyi Club 1938 since 2018.
2. Introduce your Subcommittee and its importance within the industry.
Operations and Terminals sub-committee oversees Terminals and Operations activities among the member companies. We work closely with NNPC, DPR, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other government regulatory bodies/parastatals in Nigeria on operational activities. We exchange ideas, non-competitive, non-sensitive information among our members to enhance the smooth operations of our Terminal activities.
We also share learnings and best practices to foster the growth of all member companies in conformity with the extant law in regulating the industry in Nigeria and protect members’ interests. We also ensure that there are no flow assurance issues that could lead to shutting down, tank tops, or unnecessary demurrage in our Terminals.
The Subcommittee meets quarterly to discuss and exchange ideas on issues affecting Terminal Operations, Safety and to proffer solutions based on experience, expertise, and industry knowledge on technical issues.
3. What has been most rewarding about your role?
In my capacity as the Subcommittee chair, I was able to provide leadership via engagements with regulators (DPR, NIMASA, etc.) and parastatals (FMITI, CBN, etc.) on implementing best practices in our Terminal Operations. My tenure was renewed unanimously by the Subcommittee members due to my stellar, knowledgeable, and humble leadership qualities.
4. What has been most challenging about your role?
The engagements with the parastatals and regulators are the most challenging part.
5. Tell us about your major accomplishments as the Subcommittee lead?
The year 2020 is a very challenging year due to the worldwide pandemic. Despite this situation, below are some of our key achievements:
- Compliance with the OPEC+ production curtailment. The COVID-19 caused OPEC+ countries to impose production quotas to manage global supply in order to shore up prices, our Subcommittee members were able to fully comply with this mandate.
- Ability to operate amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (lockdowns, restrictions, etc.)
- We were able to comply with the online processing of Export Permit applications via a portal created by DPR
- We were able to organize our members to attend the Nigerian Export Supervisory Scheme (NESS) workshop that was organized by CBN. Our members are fully complying with this CBN rule.
6. What are the other things you do to keep a healthy work/life balance?
I love reading novels, traveling, and playing table tennis games in my leisure time.
7. What is your philosophy on life?
I believe life is all about solving problems and helping others; every obstacle that we faced is the path forward. Also, life is too short to keep grudges or malice against one another.