Data Analytics Transforms Non-Operated Assets Management in Nigerian Oil Sector

By Ugo Aliogo

The Nigerian oil and gas industry presents unique operational complexity, with numerous fields operated under joint venture arrangements where multiple partners share ownership but only one serves as operator. For non-operating partners, maintaining visibility into operations and costs while influencing performance requires sophisticated approaches to data management and analysis. TotalEnergies has found an innovative solution through the work of Senior Drilling Engineer Oluremi Emmanuel Oyekanmi, who has transformed how the company monitors and optimizes its non-operated assets.

Oyekanmi’s approach centers on comprehensive data visualization through Power BI dashboards that consolidate information from multiple non-operated assets into a single, accessible platform. Every week, management and technical teams can review operational progress, cost performance, and key metrics without wading through lengthy reports or fragmented data sources. This “one-stop” dashboard approach has fundamentally changed how TotalEnergies engages with its non-operated portfolio, enabling faster decision-making and more targeted interventions when performance issues arise.

The genesis of this data-driven approach lies in Oyekanmi’s personal interest in analytics and business intelligence. Recognizing that modern oil and gas operations generate vast amounts of data that often go underutilized, he pursued formal education in data science and business analytics through the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. His studies covered exploratory data analysis, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning techniques—capabilities he has now applied directly to drilling operations management.

As Senior Drilling Engineer responsible for non-operated assets, Oyekanmi provides technical support to in-house teams with the goal of optimizing well delivery and reducing operational costs. He conducts detailed follow-up on operations, analyzing both technical performance and cost trends. When opportunities for improvement are identified, he interfaces with operators and co-venturers to advocate for changes. His dual expertise in drilling engineering and data analytics allows him to present compelling, data-backed cases for operational modifications.

A significant part of his role involves conducting studies for both exploration and development projects across operated and non-operated assets. By benchmarking performance and costs against industry standards and historical data, he identifies opportunities for savings that might otherwise remain hidden. These studies inform commercial negotiations, technical discussions with operators, and internal investment decisions. The analytical rigor he brings to these assessments ensures they stand up to scrutiny from partners and stakeholders.

Industry experts increasingly recognize that data analytics represents a frontier for operational improvement in mature oil and gas basins like Nigeria’s. While dramatic technology breakthroughs in drilling equipment or techniques become rarer, systematic analysis of operational data continues yielding insights that drive incremental improvements. When aggregated across dozens of wells and multiple fields, these incremental gains translate to substantial financial benefits.
Oyekanmi’s work also reflects broader trends in petroleum engineering career development. Traditional drilling engineering focused almost exclusively on subsurface mechanics, wellbore stability, and operational execution. Today’s senior drilling professionals increasingly need competencies in data science, financial analysis, and digital technologies. Those who develop these complementary skills position themselves to drive operational transformation and assume leadership roles.

The success of the Power BI implementation for non-operated assets has not gone unnoticed within TotalEnergies. The model demonstrates how relatively accessible business intelligence tools, when wielded by professionals with deep domain expertise, can unlock value from existing data. Other business units have expressed interest in similar approaches, potentially expanding the impact of Oyekanmi’s innovations beyond drilling operations.

For TotalEnergies’ Nigerian operations, the enhanced visibility into non-operated assets provides strategic advantages. Better understanding of cost drivers and performance factors enables more informed participation in joint venture technical committees. When operators propose work programs or budgets, TotalEnergies can engage with detailed, data-supported positions rather than relying on general industry experience. This analytical capability strengthens the company’s position as a joint venture partner while contributing to overall field optimization.