Published: November 6, 2025
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — NOCAL President and CEO-designate Fabian M. Lai says he intends to overhaul the National Oil Company of Liberia from a largely dormant institution into an active, transparent and strategically competitive player in the oil and gas sector, if confirmed by the Senate.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Hydrocarbon, Energy and Environment, Lai laid out a vision to reposition NOCAL as a fully integrated national energy company with stronger state ownership, improved data control and expanded commercial activity across the petroleum value chain.
“NOCAL must evolve from a passive holder of assets into a dynamic engine of national development,” Lai told senators. “Our oil and gas resources must work for every Liberian—from the wellhead to the gas pump and beyond.”
Lai said his leadership would be guided by five overarching principles: securing Liberia’s petroleum data as a strategic national asset; increasing state participation and value capture; building partnerships that include Liberian stakeholders; managing upstream and downstream activities in an integrated manner; and developing a highly skilled Liberian technical workforce. He stressed that the country’s seismic and geological data must be properly organized and controlled to enhance investor confidence and improve Liberia’s negotiating position.
Lai outlined a seven-part operational blueprint built on ten strategic focus areas. Central to his plan is the establishment of a unified geoscience data repository within 12 months to consolidate seismic records, field histories and basin analyses. He said the company will also complete 3D seismic reprocessing by mid-2026 and launch a publicly accessible petroleum data platform within two years to improve transparency for investors and policymakers.
In addition to attracting new exploration interest, Lai said NOCAL must begin preparing Liberians to take on technical and managerial roles in the sector. Training, scholarship pathways and hands-on technical development, he noted, will be crucial to ensuring that the sector ultimately benefits Liberians directly.
Lai also proposed expanding state equity participation in future petroleum agreements, pursuing government-to-government partnerships, and exploring downstream activities such as fuel storage, distribution and logistical support. He said these steps will help Liberia develop a cohesive national energy platform rather than depend solely on exploration royalties.
To guarantee accountability, Lai outlined a phased implementation timeline. During his first year, he plans to modernize the company’s data infrastructure, initiate feasibility studies for downstream expansion and begin diplomatic negotiations to rebuild investor interest. By the third year, he believes Liberia should be positioned to sign new Production Sharing Contracts and scale oil-related logistical operations. A more complete operational integration of upstream and downstream functions, he said, could be achieved by year five.
“NOCAL under my leadership will act as a transparent steward of Liberia’s hydrocarbon resources,” Lai said. “Our focus is exploration, job creation and local capacity.”
Lai pledged continuous engagement with the Legislature, describing oversight as essential to sustaining reforms.
“Liberia’s petroleum future will be built on data, inclusion and strategic partnerships,” he concluded. “If confirmed, I will ensure this committee remains fully informed through regular briefings and open dialogue.”
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