Ministry of Petroleum Resources Invitation to Tender for the study on the Harmonization of the Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Gulf of Guinea Sedimentary Basins

The African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), through the office of her National Representative in Nigeria is hereby inviting reputable and competent bidders for the conduct of the study on the Harmonization of the Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Gulf of Guinea Sedimentary Basins. A consultant will be required to conduct the study on behalf of APPA at sub-regional Levels.

1.0 Introduction
APPA, which was created in Lagos on January 27, 1987, is an intergovernmental organization serving as a platform of cooperation, collaboration and exchange of experiences between African petroleum producing countries. It aims at promoting common initiatives in terms of policies and strategic management in all the sectors of the oil and gas industry to enable Member Countries maximize their profits in the exploitation of this non-renewable resource. APPA currently has eighteen (18) Member Countries namely: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’lvoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, South Africa and Sudan.

The VIII Programme of Actions of APPA adopted on 22nd March 2012 in Cairo by the 29th Session of the Council of Ministers of the Association provided for a study on the harmonization of the stratigraphic nomenclature of the sedimentary basins of North Africa, West Africa, Gulf of Guinea and the Intracratonic Zone.

In each of these zones, several geological and petroleum research works were carried put and are still being intensified. These research endeavours are for instance: geological and geophysical surveys (gravimetry, magnetometric, seismic, etc.) and drillings. These various works led to the establishment of a chrono-lithostratigraphic column in each country. The compilation and correlation of data at the regional level is fundamental for a better knowledge of the geological characteristics of the sedimentary basins.

Furthermore, exchanges of data are of crucial importance to oil research as they allow for a correlation of the geological characteristics of the basins and cost reduction. Unfortunately, the exchanged data are hardly useful to the beneficiaries because each country elaborated its stratigraphy by making use of its own nomenclature. This situation of things does not allow for an easy recognition of formations of same geological age.

It is therefore in the process of wanting to solve this problem and accelerate the search for the discovery of new oil deposits that APPA initiated a study on the harmonization of the stratigraphic nomenclature of the African sedimentary basins. The first stage of the project focuses on the above mentioned four geographical zones.

For the Gulf of Guines, the Study focuses on the following countries: Nigeria (Country leader), Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo; however, any other country from the Gulf of Guinea who so wishes could join in the project.

2.0 Objectives of Tender
The objectives of the tender are to:

• Harmonize the Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Gulf of Guinea Sedimentary Basins by 2015;
• Compile and correlate data at sub-regional level for a better understanding of the geological characteristics of the sedimentary basins in Africa;
• Improve the technical competence of member countries; and
• Encourage capacity building of professionals in the oil and gas industry of member countries.

3.0 Conditions for Tendering
A reputable Company with the relevant required technical expertise and financial competence for the realization of the above mentioned objective could participate in the bidding.

4.0 Collection of Bid Documents
Bid documents can be collected from Monday 17th December 2012 at the office of the APPA Desk Officer for Nigeria in the following address:

a.) Ministry of Petroleum Resources,
Department of Planning, Research and Statistics,
Block D, 8 Floor, Room 04,
NNPC Towers, Abuja-Nigeria
Or

b. Download from the APPA website: www.appa.int

5.0 Application and Processing Fee
The bidder is required to pay a non-refundable fee of USD10,000 (Ten Thousand Dollars) payable to APPA Fund for Technical Cooperation, the bank accounts are:

i. Dollar Account
Fonds APPA, Paris Associations etFondations (02837)
RIB 3000400804 0000003514914
IBAN FR 76 3000 4008 0400 0000 3514914
BIC BNPA FR PPPAA 

ii. Euro Account
Fonds APPA, Paris Associations etFondations (02837)
RIB 30004 00804 0001036247336
IBAN FR 76 3000 4008 0400 0103 6247 336
BIC BNPA FR PPPAA

iii. FCFA Account
Fonds APPA pour Ia Cooperation Technique
01 BP 139 Cotonou,
Bank of Africa BENIN
RIB B0061 0100200725697000343
IBAN BJ11 B006 1010 0200 9700 0343 336
SWIFT AFRIBJBXXX

6.0 Closing Date/Submission and Opening of Bids
Twelve (12) copies of the bids are to be submitted not later than 2l January 2013 at 12:00 as follows:- two (2) original copies each in English and French, seven (07) copies in French and three (03) copies in English to the National Representative of APPA in Nigeria at the address in item 4.0 above. Opening of the bid documents will take place on 21st January 2013, in the presence of the Executive Secretary of APPA or his representative, two representatives from each Member Country of the Working Group and the members of the National Representation of APPA in Nigeria, at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Board Room, two (2) hours after the closing time for the submission of the bids.

Each participating company that wishes to be present as observer in the opening of the bids can do so by sending a representative per company.