— says oil, gas resources must be maximised for benefit of Guyanese

GUYANA’S private sector will have a critical role to play in the country’s next phase of energy development, particularly as it builds out its natural gas industry, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge has said.
Speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Energy Luncheon on Thursday, Routledge stressed that Guyana’s finite oil and gas resources must ultimately be developed in a manner that maximises benefits for the Guyanese people.
He noted that Guyana has emerged on the global energy stage at a time when diversification and energy security have become increasingly important internationally, making collaboration critical as the country lays the foundation for further natural gas development.
Routledge said planning for that next phase must begin with an assessment of the capacity Guyana has already developed.
“You always have to figure out, from where are we today? What is the foundation on which we are standing? That allows us to move forward and capture those opportunities,” he said.
He pointed out that when oil was first discovered offshore Guyana in 2015, much of the infrastructure required to support a modern offshore petroleum industry did not exist.
“When oil was first found, there was really no infrastructure to support a modern offshore oil and gas operation,” Routledge said.
Eleven years later, he said, Guyana has two world-class shore bases and a growing network of companies and industrial operations capable of servicing the highly technical offshore industry.
GUYANESE BUILDING CAPACITY
Routledge identified the development of the local workforce as one of the major achievements over that period.
More than 70 per cent of the workforce supporting oil-and-gas operations in Guyana is now Guyanese, he said.
Routledge also highlighted the participation of women within ExxonMobil Guyana’s local workforce.
“At ExxonMobil, we are proud to say that over 50 per cent of our local workforce are women. That, for me, in my industry is unheard of. But it is true in Guyana and something to celebrate,” he said.
Local companies, he added, have also expanded their capabilities by forming partnerships, bringing specialised expertise into Guyana and investing in facilities and equipment.
“We have built capability. Companies, local companies, have found partners. They have been able to bring in expertise. They have invested in their own facilities and capability,” Routledge said.
“That gives us a pretty strong foundation from which to start a next phase.”
As Guyana moves towards greater utilisation of its natural gas resources, Routledge said private-sector organisations will have an important role in connecting investment and expertise with local businesses.
He identified the GCCI, Private Sector Commission and business chambers in Berbice among the organisations that could help facilitate that process.
“I think organisations like GCCI, the Private Sector Commission, the chambers in Berbice have a vital role to play. A vital role in helping those who have the capital, those who have the expertise to come into Guyana and to deploy it wisely. To help the local businesses to be a part of it,” he said.
While acknowledging that developing a natural gas industry will bring challenges, Routledge pointed to the speed at which Guyana’s offshore oil industry has developed as evidence of what collaboration can achieve.
“Where else in the world has our industry been able to go from first discovery to first oil in 4.5 years? From there to 900,000 barrels a day. And by the end of this year, I anticipate 1,000,000 barrels per day. That’s huge. There are not many countries get to that point,” he said.
Routledge credited the Government, private sector, business organisations and educational institutions for contributing to that development.
Looking ahead, he pledged ExxonMobil Guyana’s continued support and called on stakeholders to work together to address the challenges associated with the next stage of the country’s energy development.
“It will not be the first time it has been done in the world, but every country is different. And Guyana’s map is going to be unique,” Routledge said.