October 2018
How did you come to be in the oil and gas industry?
I am Drilling and Production engineer by background and graduated from IFP (France). I joined Schlumberger in 1994 for a total of 18 years, in various technical and managerial positions, worldwide, before I opened up Sepco late 2012. My main objectives were to provide added value services in the region in order to increase industry local impact and contribute to lower operation costs for clients and hence maximize profit oil for the benefits of the local population.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenges for oil and gas industry in the MSGBC Basin?
It’s to build a local industry network within the region, trough active promotion of local ’champions’ to maximize local impact and leave behind a long-lasting impact through possible conversions of these champions.
What do you see as the essential next steps so as to increase in-country capacity within the MSGBC region?
A genuine effort of identification of possible candidates throughout the region to be accompanied by operators to become visible examples for others to follow and compete with. In my view, this is the only sustainable impact, which can continue beyond extractive industry limited activities period.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for investment in the region?
All consequential industries needed in the region and which will be made possible by the availability of hydrocarbons resources: power generation, chemicals industries – especially agricultural related chemicals, needed in the Senegal River commonly exploited by 3 countries in the region, like river navigation, bridges, agriculture. Obviously big infrastructures are required for the development of each country but also shared ones.
You’ll be speaking at the MSGBC Local Content Forum – what do you hope to take away from the meeting?
I hope to see a recognition and a genuine willpower to build a network of local industry champions to support industries and stay behind in other domains of activities for a sustainable impact on local population. What do you expect will be the main focus of the discussion? I’ll expect to see type of opportunities for the locals and the best way to facilitate and maximise the local participation.
About Cheikh Benhmeida
Cheikh Benhmeida is the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Sepco Industries. Graduated from “Institut Français du Pétrole” (IFP) France as a petroleum engineer, Mr Benhmeida worked previously with Schlumberger for 18 years in various countries.
Mr Benhmeida has industry certifications, which reinforced his knowledge and know-how beyond his experiences and training.
After his position as Oilfield Services Regional Manager in Schlumberger Mauritania, Senegal and Morocco, Mr Benhmeida decided to launch Sepco Industries Mauritania late 2012 with the main objective of providing added value services in the region in order to increase industry local impact and contribute to lower operation costs for clients and hence maximize profit oil for the benefits of the local population.
In 2018, Sepco Industries Senegal is created. This event confirms Mr Benhmeida willingness to expand the success realized in Mauritania to Senegal and neighbouring countries and be truly local example for future Senegalese entrepreneurs who may want to follow Sepco industries example. Indeed, Sepco aims to be a visible example for others in the region.
Cheikh Benhmeida will be speaking on the essential next steps for local infrastructure & supply chain development at the upcoming MSGBC Basin Local Content Forum taking place in Dakar, 24 October 2018.
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