Currently, there are 49 indigenous oil companies (INOCs) and 28 marginal fields operators as well as 24 multi-national oil companies (MNOCs) operating in Nigeria. This study on Nigerian INOCs has found them to have inadequate state-of-the-art upstream information systems (IS) for their operations. Prior literature also indicates inadequate research on IS with respect to the INOCs. The sector has been essential to Nigeria due to its contribution of approximately 90% of the export revenues. In addition, at least 89% of the country’s oil is produced by MNOCs while indigenous ones produce a maximum of 11%. This is as a result of many factors, including the upstream IS used by the INOCs. The main objective of the study investigated the significant barriers that limit the adoption of the state-of-the-art upstream IS by the Nigerian INOCs. Furthermore, the relevant literature reveals that the MNOCs have developed and sustained their technological expertise in using the state-of-the-art IS for all of their activities. The developed research questions of the study have been answered by the suitable parts of the research. Data were collected through the interviewing of 6 chosen stakeholders as well as the administration of 200 questionnaires to the relevant stakeholders, and finally, 140 valid questionnaires were retrieved. As a result of the significant differences which existed between the chosen groups of the stakeholders, follow-up interviews were conducted in which 12 stakeholders participated. 6 of them were the same stakeholders interviewed during the first interviews conducted prior to questionnaire-survey. A mixed-method approach was selected and was also triangulated. The study has also used objective statistical tools based on SPSS to critically discover the major obstacles that limit the adoption of the state-of-the-art IS. The study also discovered that the opinions which emerged from the research participants indicated that, cost of some state-of-the-art ICT resources, technical skill, managerial attitude, government policies, government incentives, corruption and insecurity were significant barriers that limit the adoption of state-of-the-art IS by Nigerian INOCs. The study concludes by suggesting the need to invest in sufficient resources, hold meetings between various stakeholders, develop skills in terms of quality and quantity, provide sufficient technical training, reformulate government policy towards the adoption of state-of-the-art IS, provide government incentives to adopt state-of-the-art IS, establish anti-corruption units and improve the safety of the oil workers.

The need for energy and the associated economic benefits from the oil and gas deposits found mainly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria necessitated the exploration and exploitation activities being carried out by the oil and gas Companies. However, these exploration and exploitation activities due to their unpredictable nature have a huge potential for environmental pollution as been experienced in the form of oil spills, gas flaring, irresponsible disposal of waste and several other activities that have resulted in the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta region. In the light of these, the Federal Government of Nigeria having experienced the consequences of pollution of the environment during the Koko Toxic Waste Dump incident in the then Bendel State in 1987 established a regulatory body tasked with the responsibility of harmonizing the economic interest from the oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities with the sustainability of the natural environment by developing well structured and articulated policies aimed at guiding the operations of the oil and gas operators, track their compliance and administer appropriate punitive measures for non compliance. However, this research work which is aimed at evaluating the impact of the environmental protection policies in upstream oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta region, involved the use of questionnaires and interviews. These questionnaires were completed by the management and staff of three major oil and gas companies operating within the area, the Department of Petroleum Resources and members of the Host communities. The interview was carried out to provide relevant feedback on their assessment of the impact made by the environmental protection policies on the upstream oil and gas activities in their operational areas/host communities. The study however concluded that “Although there is a regulatory body tasked with the responsibility to develop, implement and track compliance of the environmental protection policies in the upstream oil industry, the body is ineffective and as such the impact of the environmental protection policies is inadequate. Appropriate informed recommendations on the improvement strategies to the identified gaps that resulted in the unfavorable conditions were also provided. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

The need for energy and the associated economic benefits from the oil and gas deposits found mainly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria necessitated the exploration and exploitation activities being carried out by the oil and gas Companies. However, these exploration and exploitation activities due to their unpredictable nature have a huge potential for environmental pollution as been experienced in the form of oil spills, gas flaring, irresponsible disposal of waste and several other activities that have resulted in the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta region. In the light of these, the Federal Government of Nigeria having experienced the consequences of pollution of the environment during the Koko Toxic Waste Dump incident in the then Bendel State in 1987 established a regulatory body tasked with the responsibility of harmonizing the economic interest from the oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities with the sustainability of the natural environment by developing well structured and articulated policies aimed at guiding the operations of the oil and gas operators, track their compliance and administer appropriate punitive measures for non compliance. However, this research work which is aimed at evaluating the impact of the environmental protection policies in upstream oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta region, involved the use of questionnaires and interviews. These questionnaires were completed by the management and staff of three major oil and gas companies operating within the area, the Department of Petroleum Resources and members of the Host communities. The interview was carried out to provide relevant feedback on their assessment of the impact made by the environmental protection policies on the upstream oil and gas activities in their operational areas/host communities. The study however concluded that “Although there is a regulatory body tasked with the responsibility to develop, implement and track compliance of the environmental protection policies in the upstream oil industry, the body is ineffective and as such the impact of the environmental protection policies is inadequate. Appropriate informed recommendations on the improvement strategies to the identified gaps that resulted in the unfavorable conditions were also provided. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011