― Panelists at Local Content Summit emphasize need to expand oil-
industry skills
At the Local Content Summit (Guyana) on April 16, 2024, leading oil and gas companies ExxonMobil Guyana, SBM Offshore, and Schlumberger (SLB) underscored that training is crucial in advancing
Guyana’s oil and gas industry. Moderated by Mr. Chris Chapwanya, Chief Executive Officer of OilNOW, the panel discussed the theme “Creating Value. Driving Economic Expansion” and highlighted how local content legislation has revolutionized the industry, fostering a thriving environment for local talent and businesses to excel in a dynamic market. Mr. Phil Reitema, Vice President and Senior Business Manager at ExxonMobil, emphasized how local content has been integral to their operations.
“Local content is part of the DNA of our company,” said Reitema.
Since arriving in Guyana in 1999, ExxonMobil has been committed to building capacity and investing in the local community. Reitema proudly highlighted that today, more than 6,000 Guyanese are working in the oil and gas industry, with nearly 70% of the industry’s workforce being local. “It’s really remarkable,” he added. “We knew right away we were going to be here for decades, and we needed to partner with the Government and people in business in Guyana.” Ms. Sharlene Seegolam, Country Manager at SLB, noted the critical role of developing a local supplier ecosystem. “The policy aligns heavily with our beliefs in diversity and inclusion,” she said. Seegolam stressed that diversity drives better business results and is essential in emerging regions like Guyana. Mr. Martin Cheong, Country General Manager at SBM Offshore Guyana, echoed the sentiments of his colleagues. As a Guyanese himself, Cheong underscored SBM Offshore Guyana’s commitment to local content, noting that 98% of SBM’s leadership in the country is Guyanese.
“That speaks to our commitment to building local capacity,” he said. SBM Offshore has engaged 112 unique Guyanese companies and issued over 600 purchase orders in 2023 alone. Cheong also mentioned his company’s collaboration with the government and ExxonMobil in the Factor Simulator project at the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated further enhancing local capacity.
All the panelists emphasized that access to finance is a significant challenge for local businesses. Reitema pointed out the difficulty local vendors face in securing capital investment. To address this, ExxonMobil and other prime contractors have made long-term commitments to local vendors, providing them with the assurance needed to secure financing. “We make multi-year commitments to vendors so they can go to investors with confidence,” he explained.
Training and capacity building were recurring themes throughout the discussion. Seegolam noted that SLB conducted 46,000 hours of training for their employees in Guyana in 2023. This extensive training covered safety, technology, engineering and more.
“The industry is quite technology-heavy and requires large amounts of training,” Seegolam said. Similarly, Cheong described SBM’s rigorous training programs, which include a 12-month training program in Canada for new trainees, followed by advanced training and hands-on experience at the Factor Simulator in Guyana.
Local businesses have made significant strides in the industry, but there is always room for improvement. Seegolam emphasized the need for local companies to innovate and develop their in-house solutions.
“Very often, my team defines the problem and the need. We need local businesses to come up with solutions,” she said. Cheong added that consistency in quality and adherence to Health, Safety, Security, and Environment standards is critical, as lives are at stake in the industry.
The panelists stressed the significance of increasing the supply of interested and trained individuals available to work in oil and gas. Reitema announced ExxonMobil’s first summer internship program with the University of Guyana, aiming to inspire and attract more young talent to the industry. “We need to expand the supply so that as the growth happens, everybody is aware and prepared,” he said.
The discussion concluded with a strong message about the importance of training in the success of local content initiatives. Training equips the workforce with the necessary skills and empowers local businesses to compete globally.
As the oil and gas industry continues to evolve, the commitment to training and capacity building will ensure that local content remains at the heart of its success.
The 2024 Local Content Summit, hosted by MBW Energy Support Services Inc. and Prestige Management Consultants in collaboration with the Local Content Secretariat under the Ministry of Natural Resources, expanded upon the achievements of the inaugural summit in 2023.
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