WHILE the business of oil and gas is highly complex, technical and ever-evolving, the Department of Energy is keen on ensuring that the public is able to understand and experience, firsthand, many aspects of the oil and gas sector.

The production of oil is being done miles offshore Guyana, but the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture Youth and Sport, the Department of Energy, ExxonMobil and the University of Guyana, sought to give the average Guyanese a closer look at the sector, through the launch of a National Oil Exhibition at the National Museum.

“This is a significant moment, since the exhibit does not only contain the first oil exhibit but makes available to the public, the actual model of the Liza Destiny, the first of at least five FPSOs expected to operate in the Stabroek Block, over the next 40 years,” said Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, during the launch of the exhibit on Thursday.

Dr. Bynoe said the department and its stakeholders could not have thought of any better way to share what is happening with everyone, than by a permanent exhibition in the national museum, which is free and open to the public.

The director, in expressing his appreciation for the exhibit, said: “it is a proud moment so every Guyanese should stand tall and hold their heads high…the exhibit is free, it is gifted by ExxonMobil and its partners…so we wish to express sincere appreciation to them.”
Since 2016, there have been “exciting” new discoveries now on a quarterly basis and it has been creating unprecedented interest in Guyana.

After 15 petroleum discoveries by ExxonMobil, with an estimated recoverable barrel of oil in excess of 6.6 billion, Dr. Bynoe believes that everyone needs to be excited about this and think about how to make the most of the opportunity that is opening.

“Already, this sector has brought in Foreign Direct Investment in excess of US$500 million; created over 1,7000 jobs directly related to the sector; create benefits derived from over 600 service providers and promote the establishment of over 70 joint ventures, alliances and partnerships, which will continue to increase,” said the director.

Dr. Bynoe said he wants to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every Guyanese benefit and every aspect of national development has an opportunity to be powered by the oil and gas industry.

The director was optimistic about the future and he even believes: “if all goes well, there will be opportunities in the near future…people in the government sector and other sectors are expected to see exponential growth…oil could be a blessing or a curse, but all Guyanese and the operators must commit to ensuring that it is a blessing.”
Country Manager of ExxonMobil, Rod Henson, believes the national oil exhibition will grow as the industry grows and will serve as an element to ensure Guyanese remember the blessing and the milestone of achieving oil and gas.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, echoed the sentiments of Dr. Bynoe and Henson, noting that Guyana is poised to become one of the richest countries in the world and by then, he hinted that the country could even look at building its own oil and gas museum.

The oil exhibit will be open to the public from Friday, January 17, 2020. There will also be a firework display by the Guyana Defence Force supported by ExxonMobil on Friday night at 22:30hrs at the seawalls at the Kitty foreshore. The public is invited to attend both events and to include themselves and their loved ones into this historic moment with a selfie competition which will run from January 17 till February 11.

Persons will have a chance to own one of 10 first-oil collectors’ vials of oil, as well as many other prizes if they compete and win a “selfie competition,” which is organised by the Department of Energy.

According to the department, in order to enter the competition, persons have to snap a ‘selfie’ or photo of themselves or group of friends and family in front of any part of the first oil exhibit or during the fireworks display and post to their Facebook page and tag it to the Department of Culture and the Department of Energy.

The photos with the highest number of likes or shares, will win. There will be up to 500 prizes available for grabs. The prizes include caps, t shirts, bottles, books, and folders. Winners will be notified, and prizes will be handed over at the museum on Feb 14, 2020.