On Engineering Assets and Technology Supply Capacity

Abstract

Capital development of an oil and gas refinery involves the establishment of a large base of engineering assets. In developing countries, the question arises as to the capacity of local firms to supply the required technological capabilities while operating under regimes that vibrantly promote indigenization and empowerment legislations. By analyzing the capability of local vendors, this paper provides some insight into the perplexing challenges presented by the need to create and build local science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacity. Despite a vigorous empowerment regime, the local market more or less features agents, distributors, and vendors of sources of technological capabilities that are located well outside the sociopolitical environment of the refinery project.