Research & Development Projects

In 1996, Shell began an initiative that would enable experts, particularly the Shell Professors, from various disciplines in Nigerian universities to help in providing solutions to the company’s Exploration & Production challenges through Research and Development projects. Such challenges had previously been referred to research laboratories in Europe and the United States for resolution. Under this programme, Shell invests in the development of research facilities in relevant disciplines in these universities, and also provides funds for the payment of research personnel.

The programme seeks to leverage on the available capacity in Nigerian universities to conduct R&D studies, and thus enable select universities (Shell Chair institutions) to become not just centres for resolving E&P challenges, but also platforms for effective training and development of future E&P recruits.  

The following R&D studies have been conducted: 

• In search of evidence for hydrocarbon induced magnetic anomalies in the Niger Delta province – a cost saving approach to finding prospects. Prof S.B. Ojo, Shell Professor of Geophysics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. 2009
• Locating by-passed oil and enhanced definition of prospects using rock properties, reservoir petrophysical parameters and 4D seismic in two fields. Prof J.O. Ebeniro, Geophysics Research Group, Department of Physics, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt. 2009
• Hazardous air pollutants in urban, rural and industrial areas. Lead researcher: Prof C.T.I. Odu, Shell Professor of Environmental Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. 2006
• Development of a realistic simulation model for the Diebu Creek E1000X reservoir. Lead researcher: Prof G.K. Falade, Shell Professor of Petroleum Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. 2005