Houston’s message to Africa: Innovation must deliver more barrels, lower costs and better returns

By Kunle Odusola-Stevenson
The future of Africa’s oil and gas industry will not be determined by the resources beneath its soil alone, but by how effectively it deploys technology, attracts investment and translates policy into commercial results. This was a central takeaway from the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) 2026, held in Houston, Texas, from October 21 to 23. Under the theme, “Exploring New Horizons with Innovative Solutions,” the conference brought together energy professionals to examine the technologies, engineering practices and operational strategies shaping the industry’s future. For Nigeria, where increasing producti...