Hope Okwa has built a career in the oil and gas industry by focusing on drilling performance and cost optimisation. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked with international oil majors and Nigerian operators, helping them achieve significant savings in well delivery.
A graduate of the University of Benin with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Okwa expanded his academic path with a Master’s in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University and another in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris. He later earned a Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering from The George Washington University, underscoring his commitment to both technical and managerial practice.
His career began with Shell, where he completed a five-year mentored training programme that led to Shell Drilling Courses Round 1 and Round 2 certifications. The early grounding shaped his approach to drilling projects, emphasising safety, efficiency, and cost reduction. Over the years, he has worked with Shell, BP, Chevron, and Saudi Aramco, as well as local operators including Addax Petroleum, SEPLAT, Waltersmith, Aradel, and First E&P.
One of the consistent outcomes of his work has been enabling operators to save between 40 and 60 per cent on drilling costs. This focus on well performance has made him a sought-after consultant in Nigeria and beyond.
Okwa is the co-founder and Drilling Project Manager at H-PTP Energy Services, a company that supports Nigerian exploration and production operators to deliver wells at reduced costs without compromising reliability or safety. He also runs his consultancy, HD Okwa Drilling Services Ltd, which provides technical drilling solutions for complex projects.
Beyond corporate roles, Okwa is registered as a professional engineer in Canada (P.Eng) and is a life member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He also volunteers as a mentor with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and SPE International, where he holds a record for the highest number of mentees worldwide.
His research interests include drilling performance, project management, and cost-reduction strategies in well engineering. Through academic and industry work, he continues to contribute to knowledge development in the field.
For many operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, Okwa represents a bridge between technical expertise and practical solutions for lowering drilling costs. His work remains central to ongoing conversations about efficiency and innovation in the sector.
