Work Experience

Dr. Riverson has over 14 years of global experience in the oil and gas industry. He has worked with Horizon Energy Ltd, GE Energy/oil and gas (US & Ghana), PPS (Ghana & UK), and Lukoil International (Russia, Dubai, USA & Cote d’Ivoire). Currently, he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Ghana. Prior to his current position, he was the Commercial Manager in charge of Economic Modeling and Risk Management at Ghana National Gas Company. He has worked on several oil and gas fields, including North Busachi Fields in Kazakhstan, Independence Field in Cote d’Ivoire, Djata Fields in Ghana, and West Quarna2 Gas Fields in Iraq. He has also worked as a consultant for the Croatian Government on the Croatian LNG Project as a Project Economist.

Lectures, Articles and Publications

In addition to his work in the industry, he is involved in lecturing and has served as an Adjunct Lecturer at Ghana Technology University College, a Coventry University Campus in Africa, as well as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and GIMPA. He has lectured in several universities across Europe, Canada, and Australia.

He has also made numerous presentations and published papers and articles on various topics related to the oil and gas industry. Some of the conferences where he has presented include ATCE 2016 (UAE), IPTC 2016 (Thailand), OTC 2016 (Canada), WPC 2017 (Turkey), PC.LCC 2018 (Ghana), EMW 2018 and 2019 (Poland), AOG 2019 (South Africa), WPC-YP Summit 2019 (Russia), ASEC 2020 (Croatia), SAIPEC 2021 & 2022 (Nigeria), GES 2022 (Canada), NAICE YPW 2022 (Nigeria), GH-BICE 2022 (Ghana), and GhipCon 2022 (Ghana), among others.

Awards, Medals, and Recognition

Throughout his career, he has received several international awards, medals, and recognitions. Some of the notable ones include the recognition as one of the "TOP 10 Energy Thought Leaders in Africa and Diaspora" by "Gurus and Prospects" Magazine - GAP, the 2022 "Rising Star" at the Ghana Energy Awards, the 2022 SPE Regional Distinguished Service Award, the 2020 SPE Regional Young Member Outstanding Service Award, and the 2020 Presidential Millennium Excellence Award in the Oil and Gas - Youth Category. He also won the best PhD. Research (Globally) in 2016 at the East Meets West SPE Conference in Poland.

He has also contributed to industry publications such as Oil & Gas Journal, SPE Economics & Management Journal, and World Oil Magazine. His research and expertise focus on energy economics, risk management, project economics, energy policy, and sustainable development in the oil and gas sector.

Professional Affiliations and Leadership Roles

He is an active member of various professional organizations and holds leadership roles within them. Some of my affiliations include:

1. Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): He is the current Section Director of SPE Ghana and has served in various capacities prior, including as the Young Professionals Chair for the African region and as a member of the Regional Committee.

2. Energy Institute (EI): He is a member of the EI and has contributed to their publications and events.

3. International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE): He is a member of IAEE and has participated in their conferences and workshops.

4. Institute of Project Management Professionals (IPMP): He is a certified member of IPMP and has served as a mentor for aspiring project management professionals.

5. Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE): He is a registered member of GhIE and actively contribute to their programs and initiatives.

In addition to his professional affiliations, He has also held leadership positions within these organizations, including serving as the Chair of the Young Professionals Committee in the SPE African region and as a member of the organizing committee for the IAEE annual conference.

Community Engagement and Outreach

He believes in giving back to the community and has been actively involved in various community engagement and outreach programs. Some of his contributions include:

1. Mentorship Programs: He has mentored and provided guidance to young professionals and students aspiring to pursue careers in the energy industry. This includes offering career advice, sharing industry insights, and providing networking opportunities.

2. Educational Workshops: He has organized and participated in educational workshops aimed at educating local communities about the oil and gas industry, its benefits, and its impact on the economy.

3. Sustainability Initiatives: He has been involved in sustainability initiatives, promoting environmentally responsible practices in the oil and gas sector. This includes advocating for the adoption of clean energy technologies and supporting renewable energy projects.

4. Scholarships and Sponsorships: He has contributed to scholarships and sponsorships for students pursuing studies in energy-related fields, enabling them to access quality education and develop their skills.

By actively engaging with the community, he strives to create awareness, promote knowledge-sharing, and contribute to the sustainable development of the energy sector.

Conclusion

In summary,  Riverson Oppong, PhD. has immense professional experience in the oil and gas industry, with a strong academic background and extensive expertise in energy economics, risk management, and project economics. Throughout his career, He has contributed to the industry through my work in commercial management, consulting, lecturing, and research. He has also been recognized for his contributions through awards and accolades. Additionally, He is actively involved in professional organizations, community engagement, and outreach programs, aiming to make a positive impact in the energy sector and the wider community.

Technical Presentations, Publications, and Conferences

He has presented and published numerous technical presentations, papers, and articles on various topics related to the energy industry. Some of my notable works include:

1. Resource Abundance, Sustainable Choices and Innovation: ShapingAfrica’s Energy Landscape (Addressed and discussed at the 2023 Future of Energy Conference,Accra, Ghana, October 2023)

2. CO2 Capturing and Utilization: The Application of CO2 ArtificialTree for a Net Zero Effect (Presented under the World Petroleum Congress, Canada,September 2023

3. Addressing Energy Availability, Accessibility and Affordability AmidstEnergy Transition in Africa (Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); August 2023)

4. Navigating the Energy Transition Challenges and Opportunities for Young Professionals (Presented and Discussed at the 2023 SPE Wari YP Symposium,Virtual, May, 2023)

5. The State & Future of the Power Sector: Pathways towards Energy Security (Presented and Discussed under the Namibia International Energy Conference, Windhoek, April, 2023)

6. AfCFTA at Five: Challenges and Opportunities (Presented under the 7th Sub Saharan Africa InternationalPetroleum Exhibition and Conference, Lagos, February 2023)

7. African Gas Commercialisation: Ghana Gas’ perspective (Presented under the 7th Sub Saharan Africa International PetroleumExhibition and Conference, Lagos, February 2023)

8. Upstream Fiscal Regime Optimization: Lessons for Nascent Oil and Gas Developed Countries (Presented at APLA Workshop, Maputo, December 2022)

9. Energy Cost & Crises: An African Outlook(Presented at African Hydrogen Gas Economy Conference, Cape Town, December 2022)

10. Opportunities Post-Emergence from the First Energy Crisis. (Discussed under Ghana Oil & Power Conference (GOPC), Paris, November 2022)

11. Developing Natural Gas Market to Sustain Local Content Development(Presented at 6th Local Content Conference and Exhibition, Takoradi, November 2022)

12. Ghana’s Energy Transition Plan (Presented on behalf of Ghana’s Energy Transition Technical Committee at NPA GhiCon, Accra, September 2022)

13. Energy Transition and the Future of Africa’s Petroleum Downstream: Prospects, Challenges, and the Way forward (Discussed under NPA GhiCon, Accra, September 2022)

14. The Evolving Energy Mix in Africa: Prospects, Pathways and Opportunities for Young Profesionals (Discussed at SPE NAICE YP Workshop, Lagos, August 2022)

15. Economic Performance Review of Ghana’s Jubilee Field: 2011-2021 (Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); August 2022)

16. Balancing the Challenges of Energy Poverty & Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa” (West Africa Well Engineering Forum, WAWEF, Feb 2022)

17. Harnessing & Investing in Natural Gas: Opportunities & Strategies (Presented under the 2nd Namibia International Energy Conference, Lagos, April, 2022)

18. The Role and Position of Gas in the Net Zero Carbon Strategy For 2050 in Sub Saharan Africa (Presented under the 6th Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Lagos, February 2022)

19. Showcasing Africa’s Local Content Progress, Challenges and Future Development Strategies: Ghana Gas’ perspective.(Presented under the 6th Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Lagos, February 2022)

20. A Blast From The Past And Foresight For The Future; Ghana’s Electricity Outlook To 2030 (Published with Global Energy Insight, 2022)

21. Optimising Local Content & Capacity Building in the era of Energy Transition (Discussed under the 5th Petroleum Commission Local Content Conference, Accra, 2021)

22. Harnessing Energy Security in Ghana: The Role of Gas (Published in Gas Bulletin, Vol 7, October 2021)

23. Balancing the Challenges of Energy Poverty & Climate Change (Discussed under SPE International Virtual Workshop, 2021)

24. Commercial Issues in the Downstream Gas Sector (presented at 7th Ghana Gas Forum, Accra, 2021)

25. Accelerating Africa’s Participation in the Economics of the Energy Transition through AfCTA. (Discussed under the 7th Africa Oil Governance Summit, Accra, 2021)

26. Assessing Investment In Ghana’s Upstream Oil And Gas Industry: The Risk And Returns(Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); September 2021)

27. Impact Of The Petroleum (Local Content And Local Participation) Regulation 2013 (Li 2204) On Local Skills Development In Ghana’s Upstream Oil & Gas Sector(Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); September 2021)

28. An Assessment of Opportunities and Challenges of Natural Gas Utilization in Ghana(Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); September 2021)

29. An Assessment of Petroleum Price Regulations on the Financial Performance of Oil Marketing Companies in Ghana: A Case Study of Star Oil(Published in Offshore Africa Journal, vol 11, issue 1, 2021)

30. Harnessing Ghana’s Gas-To-Power Opportunities: Impact Assessment of Natural Gas Supply on Ghana’s Electricity Generation(Published in Offshore Africa Journal, vol 10, issue 9, 2020)

31. Assessment of Natural Gas Infrastructure Development in Ghana (Published in OnePetro (SPE - NAICE, Nigeria); September 2020)• Fueling Economic Growth: Corporate Governance Practice in Ghana’s Oil and Gas Companies(Published in Offshore Africa Journal, vol 9, issue 8, 2019)

32. Local Content Impact on Ghana’s Oil and Gas Economy: Global Perspective (Published in Offshore Africa Journal, vol 9, issue 1, 2019)

33. The Expected Paradigm: The Future Energy Mix (Presented and published under the 6th edition of World Petroleum Council Future Leaders Forum in St. Petersburg,2019)

34. The Impact of Digitization on the Oil and Gas Industry (Presented under the 10th SPE – EMW Congress, Krakow, Poland, 2019)

35. Local Content Impact on Ghana’s Oil and Gas Economy: Global Perspective (Presented under the 3rd Petroleum Commission Local Content Conference, Takoradi, 2018)

36. The Role of Disruptive Technologies in Businesses and Industries (Published in GhanaWeb Journal, 26th Sept, 2018)

37. How will New technologies Transform the Industry and Society and How that Influence Oil and Gas (Presented under the 3rd WPC Tomorrow leaders Symposium in Belgrade, 2018)

38. A wake-up call for Ghana(Published in GhanaWeb Journal, 9th Aug, 2018)

39. Future of the Oil and Gas Industry in Low-carbon Energy (Discussed at ASEC-SPE Congress in Zagreb, 2018)

40. How will Cutting-edge, Disruptive Technologies, Renewable Energy, and Demand for Gas as a Cleaner Fuel Impact the Oil and Gas Industry in the Short, Mid- and Long Term.(Discussed under SPE Workshop – Ghana Future Leaders in Accra, 2018)

41. The Expected Paradigm Shift in the Oil and Gas industry; Big Data and Automation (Presented under the 9th edition of EMW-SPE Congress in Krakow, 2018)• Will fossil fuels be the main energy source in decades? (Published in Global Energy Insight Journal, 2017)

42. Optimization of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Fiscal Regime: an analysis based on Norway, Nigeria and Angola (Presented under the 17 SPE Petroleum Economist Workshop, Dubai, 2017)

43. Socio-Economic Impact of Gas Condensate Well Spacing Problems Using Genetic Algorithms – Case Study from Northern America(Presented under 22nd World Petroleum Congress, Turkey, 2017) ‍

44. Beyond Growing Energy Demand – Africa’s Socio-economic and Challenges(Presented under 22nd World Petroleum Congress, Turkey, 2017)‍

45. Statistical Uncertainty Analysis and Design Optimization of CO2 Trapping Mechanisms in Saline Aquifers (Published in OnePetro (SPE-IPTC, Thailand); November 2016)‍

46. ‍Technical and Legislative Risk Associated with Arctic Development (Case study – Russia and Norway)(Published in OnePetro (SPE - ATC, Canada); October 2016)‍

47. Upsurge in Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry – the Publics’ Expectation (Published in Offshore Ghana Journal, vol 4, issue 1, 2016)‍

48. Optimisation of Hydraulic Fracture Spacing for Gas-Condensate Reservoirs. (Published in OnePetro (SPE – RPTC, Russia); October 2016)

49. ‍Mismanagement of Oil & Gas Rents in “Oil & Gas Rich Countries” -Lessons for Ghana’s Nascent Industry (Case Study - Norway, Nigeria and Angola)(Published in OnePetro (SPE - ATCE, Dubai); September 2016)• Design of Waterflooding in Gas-Condensate Wells (Published in SPE TIMES, May 2016)‍

50. Strategies in Addressing Obsolescence on the Subsea Control Systems for Deep Offshore Field Developments (Published in YoungPetro Journal, April 2016)‍

51. Optimization of The Fiscal Regime and Petroleum Agreements in Ghana - Who Gets What and Why (Presented under SNO- Gubkin University, 2016)‍

52. Transforming Ghana’s “Oil Fever” into Economic Growth: Key Challenges and Planning Towards the Boom (Presented under SPE-EMW in Krakow, Poland, 2016)‍

53. Preventing the “Oil Resource Curse” in Ghana: Lessons from Norway and Nigeria (Presented at SPE ASEC in Zagreb, Croatia, 2016)‍

54. Global Energy Outlook on Oil Prices; Short, Mid and Long Term (Published in Offshore Ghana Journal, vol 1, issue 1, 2016)‍

55. Beyond the Jubilee field: The Biggest Test for Ghana’s Economy (Published in Offshore Ghana Journal, vol 1, issue 1, 2016)‍

56. Strategies in Addressing Obsolescence on the Subsea Control Systems for Deep Offshore Field Developments (Abstract Published and Presented at OGH –SPE Conference in Moscow, 2014)‍

57. Arctic in Global Perspective – Resources (Abstract Published and Presented at HND Conference in Bodo, Norway,2014)‍

58. Analysis of collection and transportation of products from offshore “Jubilee Fields” (Abstract Published and Presented at FPE-SPE Conference in Beijing, 2014)‍

59. Justification of Development plan for the “TEN” Offshore Field in Ghana, West Africa (Abstract Published and Presented at EMW-SPE Congress in Krakow, 2014)‍

60. Selecting the Right Field Development Plan for Global Deepwater Developments (Abstract Published and Presented at OGH-SPE Conference in Moscow, 2013)‍

61. Essentials of Extended Reach Drilling, And Case Studies (Abstract Published and Presented at FL-SPE Conference in Kazakhstan, 2013)‍