Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, said the Government intends to continuously bolster investments in human capital to build local content capacity and foster a sustainable future for all Guyanese.

He made the remarks while attending the official launch of the US$20m 3T EnerMech Guyana Training Centre of Excellence and graduation ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The launch of the petroleum training facility, the Prime Minister noted, would enhance Guyana’s human resource development.

“A crucial factor to the success of our nation lies in our people. We must ensure that we utilise the benefits of the oil and gas sector to build a bright future for this, the next generation of Guyanese and beyond. To do that, we must undertake a culture of ownership, a culture where our local content – our people – can thrive and that includes within the workforce itself.”

The training facility, Guyana’s premier in-country, state-of-the-art facility is a collaborative venture between 3t EnerMech, Orinduik Development Incorporated and Windsor Technologies.

Persons will be taught through blended learning software and technology, and via fully immersive simulators for high-hazard activity learning.

CUTTING EDGE DEVELOPMENT

Prime Minister Phillips, during his address, lauded the drive and innovation of the facility and those responsible for its establishment.

“As the first entity with approval to deliver OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation)-accredited training to the oil and gas sector in Guyana, our human resources are now strengthened at a global standard to actively and competently participate in the building of this new and abundant area of the country. With an industry that requires high skills and knowledge, it is reassuring to know that these capacities can be imparted to our people without having to leave their home soil.”

LOCAL CONTENT AT WORK

The Senior Government Official added that the “benefit of strong partnerships can never be understated, for these are the binds that allow goals that may otherwise seem unattainable to be achieved”.

He said that the Government would collaborate with 3t EnerMech to offer a blended technical and vocational training programme for Guyanese interested in careers in the oil and gas industry through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

“Our Government has continually engaged in the training of our workforce to be able to occupy positions in the oil and gas sector and contribute to the building of this sector, which extends to the development of Guyana. In the past, much of this training was conducted away from home, but today, and from hereon, our people will be able to access such training right here in Guyana.”

In conjunction with the launch, the graduation ceremony, for the first group of students, was also held.

To this end, the Prime Minister charged the graduates to put their skills to use.

“I congratulate the first cohort of participants who underwent training at this facility. May you take your skills and put them to their fullest use as you proceed in your daily tasks of helping to build a better Guyana.”

He said that as a people, Guyana’s success depends on proper resource management, transparency and accountability.

The training programme provides a level one qualification from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and is divided into three phases: pre-learning assessment and safe passport, which are completed online, and the technical pathway, which is the practical journey, which is completed at the 3T EnerMech headquarters.

Subsea 7 and Van Oord have announced the award of a substantial contract by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for the Gas to Energy project offshore Guyana, in water depths of up to 1,450 metres. Although a contract value has not been announced, Subsea 7 has indicated that the contract is between USD150m and USD300m

The scope covers the project management, engineering, and installation of approximately 190 kilometres of pipeline, with an associated shallow water portion and onshore approach making landfall to the west of the Demerara River, along the coast of Guyana.

Craig Broussard, Vice President for Subsea 7 US, said: “We are honoured to have been selected for Guyana Gas to Energy. This is an important project to support the Guyanese people and we look forward to continuing our relationship with EEPGL in one of the most prolific and exciting development basins in the world.”

Hans van Gaalen, Commercial Director for Van Oord, adds: “Van Oord is honoured to have been selected for the Guyana Gas to Energy project in cooperation with Subsea 7. Developing the coastal infrastructure for the project will allow our Subsea 7 and Van Oord consortium to positively contribute to the development of Guyana’s electricity supply which in turn will reduce Guyana’s dependence on imported fuels.”

SBM continues its relationship with ExxonMobil through the signing of a new MOU.

SBM Offshore has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ExxonMobil Guyana for construction of a multi-purpose floater hull for use on a future floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) project.

ExxonMobil and SBM Offshore have a long history of working together, with multiple FPSO projects underway.

Exxon has previously indicated that at least six FPSOs will be in service by 2027. They have also signaled that the resource base in Guyana has the potential to support up to 10 FPSOs.