THIS year marked a decisive shift for Guyana’s oil and gas sector, from rapid growth to sustained scale. Month by month, new infrastructure, policy tools, and production milestones reinforced the country’s position as a serious global energy producer while deepening local content participation and private sector capability.
The year began with a focus on access and inclusion. In February, the government launched the Local Content App at the Guyana Energy Conference, providing Guyanese businesses and job seekers with a digital platform to access opportunities and updates under the Local Content Act. This move signalled a more transparent and streamlined approach to local participation.
Momentum accelerated in April with the arrival of the ONE GUYANA FPSO in Guyana waters. As the fourth and largest FPSO deployed offshore, its arrival marked a visible step towards a new production era.
By mid-year, the effects of local content enforcement were increasingly measurable. Local businesses expanded their operations to support multiple FPSOs. Major service categories such as catering, transportation, logistics, waste management and security saw increasing participation from Guyanese companies. The head of the Local Content Secretariat reported that Guyanese businesses earned approximately US$350 million in the first half of 2025 alone, reflecting growth in procurement activity across the 40 service areas outlined in the Local Content Act.
ExxonMobil Guyana also reported spending G$87 billion with 1,800 local vendors and maintaining a workforce that is 70 per cent Guyanese, representing more than 6,200 nationals. Additionally, the local content register continued to expand, with some 1,250 certified local companies, demonstrating strong private-sector confidence in the industry’s longevity. Industry updates later revealed growing levels of in-country fabrication and shore-based activity.
A defining moment came in August when the ONE GUYANA FPSO achieved first oil under the Yellowtail development. With an initial average production of 250,000 barrels per day, its start-up pushed Guyana’s total production capacity to more than 900,000 barrels per day. Operating alongside Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity, Guyana entered the ranks of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers just a few years after first oil.
In September, the government approved the Hammerhead development, securing the next phase of offshore expansion beyond existing FPSOs. The approval underscored investor confidence and sent a clear signal that Guyana’s production growth is set to continue well into the next decade.
The Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) also launched its full 18-month oil and gas training programme in October, marking a landmark moment in Guyana’s workforce development and regional energy landscape. One of the Caribbean’s first industry-aligned, in-country oil and gas diploma programmes, GTTCI delivers internationally benchmarked technical and safety training across core disciplines. Its launch signalled a decisive shift from short-term certification to structured, long-term skills development, strengthening Guyana’s pipeline of skilled local talent and positioning the country as a regional hub for oil and gas training as production continues to scale.
Progress was not limited to oil alone. Throughout the year, the Gas-to-Energy project advanced steadily, reinforcing its role as a national priority aimed at lowering electricity costs, improving energy security, and supporting industrial diversification. With key infrastructure development underway and production milestones on track, the project is set to remain one of the major initiatives to watch in 2026, promising tangible benefits for households, businesses, and the broader economy.
Regulatory oversight also kept pace, with government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency strengthening environmental and safety monitoring as offshore activity intensified.
In November, attention turned beyond the Stabroek Block when the government signed a new Production Sharing Agreement for Block S4 with a consortium led by TotalEnergies alongside QatarEnergy and PETRONAS, highlighting efforts to diversify exploration and attract new investment across Guyana’s broader offshore acreage.
Building on efforts to diversify offshore exploration, Guyana’s oil sector expanded in December with a Production Sharing Agreement for Block S7 with Ghana‑based Cybele Energy Ltd. The deal makes Cybele the first African-led operator in Guyana, and signals continued investor confidence while creating new opportunities for local suppliers and employment.
Taken together, each month contributed to a year defined by execution. A new FPSO came online, production reached historic levels, local content moved from compliance to capability, and policy decisions provided stability amid rapid expansion. As Guyana looks ahead, the momentum built this year has laid a solid foundation, not only for higher output but for deeper national participation and lasting economic transformation.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.