The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is a Nigerian government agency responsible for regulating the country’s oil and gas industry. The DPR is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, and has zonal offices in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The head of the DPR is the Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The current Director/CEO of the DPR is Engr. Sarki Auwalu, who was appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in December 2019.
About Engr. Sarki Auwalu
Engr. Sarki Auwalu is a Nigerian chemical engineer with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He has held various positions in the DPR, including Director, Petroleum Engineering and Development; Director, Upstream; and Director, Gas.
Engr. Auwalu is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). He is also a Fellow of the Petroleum Technology Institute of Nigeria (PTI).
Engr. Auwalu’s Achievements as DPR Director/CEO
Since his appointment as DPR Director/CEO in December 2019, Engr. Auwalu has overseen a number of significant achievements, including:
- The successful completion of the 2020 marginal oilfield bid round, which was rated as the most transparent in the history of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
- The development and implementation of the National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP), which is aimed at increasing domestic gas utilization in Nigeria.
- The launch of the DPR’s e-licensing platform, which has made the process of obtaining and renewing petroleum licenses more efficient and transparent.
- The implementation of a number of regulatory reforms aimed at improving the investment climate in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Conclusion
Engr. Sarki Auwalu is a highly experienced and qualified oil and gas engineer. He has a proven track record of success in the DPR, and has overseen a number of significant achievements since his appointment as DPR Director/CEO in December 2019.
FAQs
What are the responsibilities of the DPR?
The DPR is responsible for regulating all aspects of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, including exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing. The DPR also issues and manages petroleum licenses, and oversees the safety of oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
Who is eligible to be appointed as DPR Director/CEO?
The DPR Director/CEO is appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To be eligible for appointment, the candidate must be a qualified petroleum engineer with at least 10 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.
What are the challenges facing the DPR?
The DPR faces a number of challenges, including:
- The need to attract and retain qualified staff.
- The need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its regulatory processes.
- The need to improve the investment climate in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.