By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The Nigeria Hydrocarbon Measurement Conference, NiHMEC, has announced its readiness to hold the 5th Annual Conference in Lagos from 7 to 9 October 2025.
According to the organisers, the high-profile event will bring together key stakeholders from Nigeria’s petroleum industry alongside members of the global hydrocarbon measurement community.
Speaking at a national press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Energy Institute Nigeria, Osten Olorunsola, FEI, said preparations were in top gear to ensure a successful and impactful 2025 conference.
Mr Olorunsola, who also doubles as Chairman of the conference, disclosed the theme of this year’s summit: “Beyond the Meter: Leveraging Digitalisation for Accurate Hydrocarbon Accounting.”
He described the forthcoming event as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for greater transparency, accuracy and efficiency in its energy sector.
“This is the fifth session of the conference, and we are quite happy about it. For us, it represents a major milestone,” he said.
Reflecting on the journey so far, he added: “When we started five years ago, we didn’t know exactly how it would unfold. But we are proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited about where we are today.”
The Chairman noted that the conference is taking place at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly with the expansion of the gas and downstream industries. He emphasised the urgent need for accurate hydrocarbon measurement, stressing that it directly impacts revenue management, investment opportunities and national accountability.
Accompanied by Sunday Kanshio, Managing Partner at Fleissen & Company, Mr Olorunsola outlined three core reasons why accurate measurement is indispensable to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He explained that fiscal metering forms the backbone of commercial transactions, as it determines costs, taxes and royalties. “In our industry, we refer to the ‘cost of transfer,’ which involves ensuring precision in fiscal measurement. People can only measure what they can manage and regulate,” he said.
He further highlighted the importance of measurement in production allocation, noting that with multiple stakeholders often sharing production facilities, accurate metering is essential for fairness and transparency. “Without accurate measurement, fair distribution is impossible,” he stated.
Mr Olorunsola also stressed that real-time data supports production monitoring, inventory management and efficient terminal operations.
On compliance, he underscored that proper measurement is not optional but a legal and regulatory requirement. “Proper measurement is the foundation for national accountability,” he declared, linking it directly to public confidence in the petroleum sector.
He also addressed increasing public scrutiny over oil and gas revenues, pointing out that with Nigeria’s population now exceeding 200 million, citizens are questioning whether the country’s resources are being properly measured. “Oil and gas revenues are the national cash register,” he observed.
Looking ahead, the Chairman highlighted the growing complexity of gas measurement, which involves not only volume but also energy content, quality and other technical metrics. He explained that digital technologies are already transforming how operators measure and manage hydrocarbons, making accuracy more achievable than ever before.
Mr Olorunsola reaffirmed that NiHMEC 2025 will serve as a platform for regulators, technical experts and industry leaders to shape the future of hydrocarbon management in Nigeria.
While fielding questions from journalists, he expressed optimism that the conference would benefit not only the country but also all critical stakeholders. According to him, conference reports are always issued at the close of each edition, clearly stating expectations from industry players as well as from government, in order to move both the sector and the nation forward.
On questions regarding perceived grey areas in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, the Chairman maintained that it was too early to contemplate a repeal of the law, which only came into force three years ago. He urged regulators and practitioners to focus instead on the positive aspects of the legislation for optimal benefit.
