By Navendra Seoraj
EXAMINING the future of energy and other critical areas is high on the agenda for the upcoming virtual Guyana Oil and Gas Summit, which will run from December 1-3, 2020.
The summit is being coordinated by the international firm, CWC/Global Future Energy Limited (GFEn) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
According to CWC’s website, the company has an impressive 22-year track record in delivering conferences, exhibitions and training globally that focus on energy and infrastructure.
Vice-President of CWC/GFEn, Tiago Marques said the company’s track record is testimony to its ability to deliver an efficient forum which will stimulate the interest of stakeholders and even potential stakeholders.

The key objective of the upcoming virtual summit is to bring together oil-and-gas companies, private-sector and local businesses to discuss opportunities and best practices on the way forward.

“We will focus on diversifying the economy; areas of business; local content; HSE, technology transfer; the future of energy and the transition of energy,” said Marques during a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Those areas are especially critical to Guyana because the country is a fledgling petroleum state, with large oil reserves.
In some cases, local stakeholders are even unaware of the country’s potential, so the upcoming forum is tailored in a way to provide targeted, practical breakout sessions which will afford persons the opportunity to engage experts and international leaders in the sector.

As a measure of ensuring that Guyanese get the most of this conference, the organisers have offered the first 100 places free to locals. The other persons will be required to pay a registration fee of US$50 and there will be a different fee for international companies. All registration can be done on GFEn’s website.
The organisers, in addition to promoting the participation of businesses and experts, will also be engaging university learners, as they are viewed as “the future.”
The summit will feature speakers such as Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo and the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State; among others.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer, said the conference has been well put together and the agenda is geared at pushing the boundaries of thought among players in the oil-and-gas sector.

“The speakers are at the leading edge of their field, so persons would want to listen to their ideas and thoughts,” said Boyer.
His hope is for the outcome of this summit to be increased local participation in the oil -and -gas sector, and the advent of indigenous experts.