MANY times in recent history has the death knell sounded for oil and gas and other fossil fuels. Activists around the world list many reasons we should “leave it in the ground”.

There are some in our own country asking why Guyana would develop its own resources, shrugging off the revenue and jobs that safe and responsible development brings with it.
But a global crisis presented by the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the critical role the oil and gas industry plays in producing the products needed to protect human health and safety.

The mad scramble for hand sanitizers, surgical masks and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) following the outbreak of COVID-19 underscored that there is still some life in the oil barrel. And Guyana oil is probably already being used to manufacture these vital products.

Besides transportation fuels for cars, boats and airplanes, oil is used to produce petrochemicals, which are the building blocks for such products used in the fight against COVID-19. Jim Cooper, senior petrochemical advisor for American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, recently noted that the industry “makes the six base materials that help make everything from ventilators to hand sanitizers.”

Petrochemicals, like polypropylene, are critical in the manufacture of face masks, latex gloves and protective clothing that were scarce at a time that COVID-19 cases were spreading across the globe. And other oil byproducts are used to make hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes and medical equipment like protective screens and face shields.

With Guyana selling its second cargo of oil this week, it is not inconceivable that Guyana’s own Liza crude oil has or will be used to produce some of these life-saving products. Our partner in the Liza field, ExxonMobil, is dedicating some of its operations to turn out more products that can be used by first-responders and others.

For example, ExxonMobil is maximizing its production of high-performance polymers used to make face masks, surgical gowns and other critical medical supplies for those treating patients with COVID-19. And its Baton Rouge, Louisiana refinery is the world’s largest producer of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), the key ingredient in hand sanitizer.

While some say the demise of the oil and gas industry is imminent, the International Energy Administration has found that petrochemical feedstock accounts for 12 per cent of global oil demand, and it’s expected to increase; it’s easy to see why we recognize all the life-saving products produced by petroleum. We should feel proud that Guyana can play a role by producing the oil that serves as a building block for some of these products. As the battle to beat the global pandemic has shown, it can be a matter of life and death.