Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Re-Engineering the Downstream Sector of the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria: The Role of the Upstream Sector
by Koso I. Idigbe and K. O. Bello

Abstract:
The Federal Government of Nigeria envisions a functional and dynamic energy industry especially the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to effectively drive domestic & commercial transportation and industrial activities. However, dysfunctional refineries, a regulated market system and massive importation of petroleum products into the country are major happenings in this sector of our economy. At present, this sector of the petroleum industry is not doing well and there are needs to re-structure and re-position it. In this paper, we investigate the issues; present challenges, and posit key solutions to properly re-engineer the downstream sector towards value creation. We posit that active roles by the upstream sector will optimize best practices, reliability, sustainability, and private investor participation; key factors that are presently lacking in the downstream sector. These will provide a functional and well managed downstream sector. The potential impact will be a significant contribution to the success of vision 20:2020 of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the development program of the Government, envisioned to place Nigeria among the 20 best economies in year 2020.

Keywords: : dynamic energy industry, downstream sector, dysfunctional refineries, regulated market system, re-engineering, private investor participation.

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