THE Guyana Shore Base Inc., an ExxonMobil contractor offering shore-based services to exploration activity in the Stabroek Block, has so far created 250 jobs – 96 per cent of which are filled by Guyanese.

One of the key investors within GYSBI is TOTALTEC, the oilfield services company started by Guyanese Lars Mangal, a former high-ranking employee of world renowned oil and gas services company, Schlumberger.

According to Mangal, TOTALTEC combined their international expertise with landowner and major local port operator, Muneshwer’s Ltd., and brought in other international partner companies to create Guyana’s first integrated offshore logistics and supply shorebase; and the only facility dedicated entirely to serving the local oil and gas industry.

He said that while the incredible growth of GYSBI is a historic achievement, “the tremendous impact of its people development is the achievement of which TOTALTEC is proudest.” He said that central and critical to this was the formation of TOTALTEC Academy, which was established in early 2018.

According to the CEO, TOTALTEC Academy has developed programmes to international standards and have successfully trained over 250 young Guyanese for operational roles required by the industry.

He said TOTALTEC was able to successfully transition laid-off workers from the sugar, bauxite, and gold mining industries, providing them with new hope and future prosperity. “TOTALTEC’s Academy graduates are manpowered out to major operators in Guyana’s oil and gas sector such as Schlumberger, GYSBI, and Jaguar Oilfield Services, and other clients,” he said.

He noted, too, that gender diversity is a priority in their recruitment, “and we are justifiably proud of the performance of our Guyanese females, who comprise 7% of our workforce – (a high percentage in the industrial sector in an operational capacity).”

Mangal said TOTALTEC has adeptly demonstrated the local knowledge and international expertise needed to forge successful and mutually beneficial partnerships for successful operation in Guyana.

“GYSBI is an example of a successful partnership between Guyanese and international companies working together, and other examples include Jaguar Oilfield Services. The success of TOTALTEC Academy is driven in large part by TOTALTEC partnering with First Competence Ltd. of Aberdeen, which is an Approved Learning Centre certified by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA),” he said.

He added that TOTALTEC has more recently formed a strategic alliance with MATPAL Marine Institute, to create the Maritime Safety Training Institute (MSTI) to offer IMO Certified training for seafarers. “This alliance provides new, integrated training programmes, geared to accelerating the development of a world class Guyanese workforce to participate in both the maritime and oil and gas sectors. These synergies would further benefit Guyanese young people, offering them a wider array of employment options, both onshore and offshore,” said Mangal.