Involvement of Quantity Surveyors in Oil and Gas Projects in Nigeria

Abstract

Oil and gas projects worldwide are highly capital intensive. In Nigeria, these projects are executed at very high cost. Their execution hence requires the involvement of Quantity Surveyors whose role is the provision of value for money through effective project cost control and management. However, the general belief among Engineering consultants in Nigeria is that Quantity Surveyors are more relevant in the cost management of building rather than engineering projects. This notion has affected the participation of Quantity Surveyors in oil and gas projects in Nigeria. This study hence assessed the involvement of Quantity Surveyors in oil and gas projects in Nigeria, the influence factors and the services provide. Data on involvement and influence factors were collected from 25 out of 65 established Quantity Surveying firms, while data on the services rendered were collected from 16 out of the 31 oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria. The data were analysed using Mean Score, Standard Deviation and ANOVA. Findings from the study indicated that the involvement of Quantity Surveyors in oil and gas projects in the study area was very low mainly due to professional rivalry and expatriate domination. Moreover, they are used more for pre-contract than for post-contract services.