This study investigated the synthesis of a bifunctional heterogeneous solid catalyst to produce
environmentally benign biodiesel from sesame seed oil. The heterogeneous solid catalyst was
synthesized using periwinkle shell as support material while functionalization was carried out
using nickel-strontium mixed metal oxides via wet impregnation method. The synthesized catalyst
was characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD, Fourier transform
infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer, Emmett and
Teller (BET) analysis. Artificial neural networks (ANN) used to model the parametric effect of
reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst concentration and methanol to oil ratio biodiesel
yield. The results obtained showed that an oil yield of 50% was obtained after extraction. The oil
had a low kinematic viscosity, acid value, iodine value and peroxide values, making it a suitable
feedstock for biodiesel production. Characterization of the solid catalyst revealed that it had a
high surface area of 367.40 m2/g, pore diameter of 2.45 nm and pore volume of 0.198 cm3
/g. ANN was was adequate in modelling the process with high R2 value (0.9980), adjusted R2 value (0.9977)
and low error values (MSE =0.7547, RMSE =0.868, SEP=1.4091, MAE =0.3348 and AAD =0.5962). Numerical optimization gave a maximum biodiesel yield of 95.61% at corresponding reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, and methanol to oil ratio values of 62.55 min, 77.59oC, 3.20 wt%, and 6.50 respectively. The properties of the biodiesel sample produced at the optimized conditions were comparable with the ASTM D6571 and EN 14214 standards.

This study uses the linear and nonlinear ARDL technique developed by Pesaran, Shin, and Smith
(2001) and Shin et al. (2014) to examine symmetry and asymmetry in the impact of oil price shocks
on inflation dynamics in Nigeria over the period 1970 -2019 using four variables: oil price (Oilp),
inflation (INF), money supply (MS) and exchange rate (EXR). The result of the linear relationship
indicates that oil prices have a positive and significant effect on inflation in the short run; while
in the long run, the effect is insignificant. The nonlinear relationship suggests that rising and
falling oil prices have different effects on inflation. While rising oil prices have a positive and
significant effect on inflation in all cases, falling oil prices have a negative and significant effect
on inflation. The result has passed the residuals and stability diagnostics. The dynamic multipliers
indicate that the positive oil price affects inflation more than the negative oil price and that there
is an incomplete pass-through from oil price to inflation in Nigeria during the period of study.

The relationship among the southern Nigeria’s inland basins is a direct result of formative tectono-sedimentary interaction within and adjacent to the basins. A full understanding of the nature of these interactions, especially how they were controlled by the structural dynamics of the basins, remains a challenge. This work investigates the mechanisms that directly defined the structural events and sedimentary processes, and the hydrocarbon generation and trapping processes in the Anambra Basin. Insight from regional cross-sections was used to highlight a genetic link among the tier-basins from the distal offshore to the onshore, across the Cretaceous – Paleogene (K-Pg) that outcrops in the Enugu Axis. This Axis was defined and illustrated as the geographical region where the axial plane of the Enugu crestal high projects to the surface.

A regional seismic line was interpreted, and the results corroborated with those from well data and
field studies to show a relatively continuous structural trend, from the oceanic to the continental crust
and their overlying formations. This showed that the Enugu Axis of the Anambra Basin is an anchor
point, a projection of the paleo-margin serving as a transition from laterally depth-equivalent but
diachronous deposits, to highs in the Benue Trough. The Cenozoic major synthetic faults, and the
initiation of displaced blocks in the Niger Delta, are deeply rooted and controlled by the Cretaceous
events, including the rifting and magnetic intrusions. These highs and lows affecting the top of the
Cretaceous deposits are the drivers that locate and lead to the activation of blocks that slide above the
base of the Akata Formation, or equivalent base, of the Cenozoic Niger Delta formations. These
magmatic events are relatively near surface and exposed beyond the Anambra Basin, in the Benue
Trough. This understanding provides a premise for study of the Cretaceous basins using information
from the well-known geology of the associated Niger Delta, who’s seismic, well and other subsurface
data abound.

This work used such data and methods to analyze the roles of the basins’ structural activities in defining
the proven petroleum systems and prospects in the area. A similar pattern of deposition in the present-day continental shelf margin explains the clinoform morphology at the subsiding slopes of the late
Cretaceous Anambra Basin delta and the pressure transmission that leads to hydrocarbon leaks, gas
flares and retained petroleum prospects in the Enugu Axis. A new “plane-wing” concept further
explains the anomalies, fold structures and very high dips or upturned units observed in the Benue
Trough.

There are risks related to Health, Safety, and the Environment (HSE) in businesses. These risks
can be harmful to people and the environment. HSE experts help make things safer, especially in
the oil and gas industry where there are dangers during activities like exploration, drilling,
production etc. Workers can be exposed to dangerous gases, like hydrogen sulfide. To keep
everyone safe, we need three important things: managing these gases well, planning carefully, and
making sure employees are trained properly. Oil and gas industry workers can also get sick from
exposure to chemicals, which can cause lungs, skin, and other organs problems. Noise at work
can lead to loss of hearing. There are the risks of serious injuries and fatalities especially to
inexperienced and poorly supervised workers. To make things safer, we need to find and
understand these risks and figure out how to control and deal with them. This research is important
because it helps us learn how to manage these risks better. It looks at the problems and solutions
to make the workplace safer for workers and the environment. In the end, managing HSE risks in
the oil and gas industry is crucial for a safe and sustainable energy sector. By carefully assessing,
planning, and training, businesses can reduce risks and prevent accidents. This study shows us the
challenges and steps needed to manage these risks safely, stressing the importance of following
safety rules. The paper emphasizes that by putting worker safety and health first, the industry can
move towards a safer and more responsible future.