Oghenekevwe Ovbije

Artificial Lift and Subsurface Production Systems Engineering

Driving resilient energy systems across oil & gas, power, geothermal, and low-carbon infrastructure.

Oghenekevwe Ovbije – Energy Director

Education

About Me

Oghenekevwe S Ovbije is an Energy Systems Engineer and Infrastructure Transformation Leader, with over 15 years of experience spanning oil & gas, power, renewables, geothermal energy, and large-scale infrastructure development. With a rare combination of deep technical expertise and commercial leadership, she has led complex, high-value energy projects across seven countries and four continents, delivering solutions that integrate engineering rigor, operational excellence, and strategic foresight.

Renowned for her expertise in artificial lift systems, energy infrastructure optimization, and digital transformation, she has played a pivotal role in the design, deployment, and optimization of advanced electrical submersible pump (ESP) systems, geothermal energy platforms, and hybrid power solutions. Her work bridges traditional energy systems and emerging low-carbon technologies, enabling operators, utilities, and governments to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term asset performance.

A recognized leader in energy strategy, project execution, and innovation, she has held senior technical and commercial roles in global organizations, managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, leading cross-functional teams of up to 40 professionals, and overseeing end-to-end project lifecycles from concept development and engineering design to procurement, commissioning, and operational optimization. Her contributions have supported increased production, extended asset life, reduced operational risk, and improved capital efficiency across diverse operating environments.

Beyond her technical achievements, she is a trusted advisor, mentor, and thought leader in the global energy community. She actively contributes to professional organizations including the Society of Women Engineers, Society of Petroleum Engineers, IEEE, Petroleum Club of Houston, MIT alumni Systems Dynamic Group, and international engineering forums, where she leads mentoring initiatives, serves in governance roles, and participates in technical and strategic discussions shaping the future of energy.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact, Serena continues to advance integrated energy solutions that align engineering innovation with business value, sustainability objectives, and long-term economic development. Her work reflects a career dedicated not only to building resilient energy systems, but also to developing people, advancing knowledge, and driving meaningful transformation across industries.

Professional Experience

Oil, Gas & Energy Advisory

Providing strategic and technical advisory services across oil & gas and broader energy infrastructure systems, including geothermal integration, hybrid power solutions, and low-carbon technologies, with a focus on project structuring, technology evaluation, execution planning, and operational assessment. The work centers on project structuring, technology evaluation, execution planning, and operational assessment for complex energy initiatives spanning upstream, midstream, and infrastructure programs. Engagements involve developing cost and schedule frameworks, integrating project controls into delivery workflows.

Principal Consultant

Oil & gas and energy consulting centered on infrastructure strategy, supply-chain design, and operational resilience across the energy value chain. The focus included commercial and operational analysis supporting energy investments, evaluation of governance and compliance structures, and development of standardized operating frameworks spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream environments. Technical understanding of oil and gas systems informed strategic considerations around cost discipline, risk management, procurement governance, and execution consistency within complex, multi-stakeholder organizational settings.

Country Product Line Manager – Artificial Lift Systems

Oil and gas engineering practice concentrated on artificial lift systems, production optimization, and integrated oilfield operations across onshore and offshore environments. The technical focus involved evaluating, configuring, and managing artificial lift systems under diverse reservoir and operating conditions, with attention to system behavior, performance limits, and lifecycle considerations. Real-time and historical operating data informed diagnostics and optimization decisions, while coordination across engineering, field operations.

Petroleum Engineer

Engineering work encompassed oil and gas reservoir studies, field development planning, and production optimization within integrated operating environments linking subsurface, surface, and organizational systems. The scope included production system reviews covering resources, personnel, and facilities, alongside integrated technical analyses supporting operational decision-making across oil and gas assets. Field involvement included on-site evaluations of facilities focused on plant operations and process control systems across multiple locations. The work also extended to technical assessments associated with an Independent Power Plant,

Research - Materials & Metallurgy

Oil and gas engineering research addressed challenges related to materials behavior, structural integrity, and reliability in offshore and subsea operating environments. The scope involved applied engineering research integrating materials science, mechanical analysis, and energy systems understanding to evaluate component performance under demanding conditions. Activities included analysis of experimental and operational data, assessment of stress and failure mechanisms, and interpretation of material response to loading, corrosion, and fatigue relevant to oilfield operations and asset integrity management.

Gas Infrastructure & Project Operations

Engagements covered gas distribution infrastructure and project operations across customer delivery systems. Responsibilities included monitoring and supporting pressure reduction and metering stations, participating in health, safety, and environmental audits, and preparing root cause analyses to support operational reliability. The scope also covered pipeline rationalization for customer stations and coordination of project planning, scheduling, and control activities, integrating operational data

Membership

Media Coverage

Powering Africa Forward: How Oghenekevwe Ovbije is Engineering a Resilient Energy Future