1. INTRODUCTION
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), in line with its mandate to build indigenous capacity for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, invites qualified researchers to submit proposals for the Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition.
The programme aims to enhance, retain, and apply Nigerian research capacity toward solving real industry problems and to facilitate technological development in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
A Steering Committee comprising of academic and industry experts, policymakers, and professional bodies oversees the competition and ensures high‑quality standards in line with the global best practices.
2. RESEARCH THEMES (2026 CYCLE)
2.1 Energy Security, Basin Development & Subsurface Excellence
AI‑driven seismic imaging, basin modelling, frontier‑basin viability, HP/HT and deepwater systems, digital twins, source‑rock and charge modelling.
2.2 Sustainable Production, Enhanced Oil Recovery & Asset Integrity
Smart wells, predictive maintenance, polymer/surfactant/low‑salinity EOR, CO₂‑EOR, flow assurance, corrosion/scale control, pipeline and subsea integrity, robotics and mechatronics.
2.3 Gas Commercialisation, Utilisation & Flare Reduction
Gas‑to‑power, GTL, mini‑LNG/CNG, LPG/petrochemical processing, flare monetisation, modular gas systems, CCUS in gas value chains, gas‑to‑chemicals, stranded gas monetisation.
2.4 Integrated Technologies, Renewables & Low‑Carbon Solutions
Local‑material solar PV, hybrid gas‑renewable systems, offshore wind, battery storage/microgrids, hydrogen (blue/green), geothermal, waste‑to‑energy, CCUS for natural gas processing.
2.5 Environmental Sustainability, Circular Economy & ESG
Bioremediation, nanotechnology cleanup, produced‑water treatment, methane reduction, carbon accounting/MRV, digital ESG systems, circular economy, waste valorisation, biodiversity, spill detection and remediation, host‑community development & empowerment.
2.6 Digital Oilfield, Automation & Emerging Technologies
AI/ML optimisation, industrial IoT, robotics for inspection/drilling, cybersecurity, cloud‑edge systems, autonomous operations, digital twins, blockchain, generative AI, LLMs, digital governance.
2.7 Facilities Engineering, Infrastructure, Local Content & Industrial Systems
Integrated facility management, reliability engineering, brownfield retrofits, energy‑efficient operations, smart facilities, local fabrication, additive manufacturing, import substitution, supply‑chain and logistics systems.
2.8 Energy Economics & Finance; Fiscal Systems; Policy Analytics & Human Capital Development
Macroeconomic policy evaluation, oil price volatility, fiscal systems, PIA modelling, investment optimisation, gas fiscal frameworks, energy‑market forecasting, carbon pricing/markets, green finance, stranded‑asset risk, competency frameworks, workforce.
3. PROPOSAL FORMAT / GUIDELINES
3.1 Cover Page
Research Mission (theme), Project Title
3.2 Executive Summary (1 page)
Industry problem, proposed solution, commercialisation pathway, expected impact (technical/economic/environmental/policy).
3.3 Background & Problem Definition
Industry challenge, evidence of relevance (data/operator needs/regulatory gaps), national priority alignment.
3.4 Literature Review & Gap Analysis
Current knowledge, existing technologies, identified gaps, novelty, Nigerian situational context.
3.5 Objectives
Main objective, specific measurable objectives, capacity‑building objectives.
3.6 Methodology
Research design, data sources and availability, tools/models/simulations/experiments, risk mitigation, ethical/data‑privacy considerations, stakeholder engagement plan (where applicable).
3.7 Research Plan & Timeline
Gantt chart showing the phases / core activities, milestones and deliverables, estimated duration for proposed activities and monitoring schedules.
3.8 Commercialisation & Adoption Plan
Technology readiness level, techno-economic analysis, Route‑to‑market strategy, IP plan, industry role, pilot testing plan, regulatory considerations, expected adoption impact, risk mitigation plan.
3.9 Research Budget & Justification
Personnel, equipment (with availability confirmation), consumables, data acquisition, travel, institutional charges, digital infrastructure/software licensing, value‑for‑money justification. All costs should align with the nominal capping of cost categories; namely, Equipment, 25%; Personnel, 20%; Travel /Collaboration 5%; and Dissemination 3%; institutional charges (10%). These limits are to aid in self-assessment before submitting the proposal.
3.10 Capacity Building Components
Training plan, knowledge‑transfer workshops, expected publications and dissemination. Multidisciplinary collaboration (advantageous).
3.11 References
Properly formatted citations using recent and relevant literature.
3.12 Tables and Figures
These should be separated from text and provided in line with the portal sectional format.
3.13 Appendices
Additional diagrams, schematics, data, evidence of collaboration or industry interest.
3.14 Formatting Requirement
Word count 5,000 (max), 1.5 spacing, Times New Roman (size 12), 2.54 cm margins on all sides. Citation and references should be in APA 7 Style. No personal or institutional identifiers including names, logos etc are allowed in all submissions. Follow all other portal directions to submit.
4. OTHER GUIDELINES
A team of academic and industry resource persons will shortlist proposals for oral presentation.
Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria: industry relevance & problem definition, novelty & gap analysis, objectives, methodology & technical merit, research plan & timeline, commercialisation & adoption plan, budget & value for money, team & institutional capacity among others.
Shortlisted Principal Researchers will defend their proposals before a panel.
Successful proposals will receive research grants, released in instalments based on milestones. Maximum project duration: 24 months.
5. ELIGIBILITY
Nigerian citizens resident in Nigeria working in academic institutions, companies, research organisations, or NGOs.
The Principal Researcher should be a senior academic, but collaboration with industry is strongly encouraged.
Collaboration with Nigerians abroad is welcome, but the Principal Researcher must reside in Nigeria.
Multidisciplinary teams are advantageous.
6. SUBMISSION
Proposals must be submitted electronically through the PORTAL: https://oilandgasresearch.ptdf.gov.ng
Deadline: Three (3) calendar months from the first date of publication.
For more enquiries, please contact Nkechi Ofoegbu, Usman Micheal Oluwasegun or Seno Albert on n.ofoegbu@ptdf.gov.ng s.albert@ptdf.gov.ng and u.oluwasegun@ptdf.gov.ng
Signed:
PTDF Management