Oilfield Services Company Schlumberger is pursuing an aggressive local content programme that will see employment opportunities opening up for Guyanese as well as priority being given to local companies for a number of upcoming tenders.
Schlumberger is the world’s largest provider of technology in the global energy sector and provides solutions for exploration and production in increasingly complex locations. In Guyana, the company is providing ExxonMobil—operator of the prolific Stabroek block—with services including reservoir characterisation, drilling, production and processing.
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During a virtual presentation at the Guyana Supplier Forum on Monday, Managing Director of Schlumberger, Ernesto Cuadros provided insight of the company’s local content targets, following the move to relocate their regional headquarters to Guyana. The service company’s local content strategy is geared towards developing local human capacity as well as establishing a close relationship with local businesses with the aim of utilising their goods and services.
“In 2018, we hired the first group of Guyanese in country and have grown our local population to over 83 Guyanese staff,” Cuadros told participants of the Forum, later adding, “As we have publicly stated, we will continue to support local educational organisations to generate the talent of the future of our beloved energy industry in Guyana.” The Managing Director noted that the company recruits wherever they are engaged, and provides continuous learning with local and international training as well as opportunities for career development.
As it relates to the utilisation of local businesses, Cuadros stated, “Our intent is to localise our supplier base where possible and to facilitate local supplier development.” He announced that for 2021, a number of contract opportunities will be rolled out for local companies in the areas of construction, machine shop services, waste disposal, fencing and drainage, mechanic shop and services, and warehousing. These opportunities are aligned with the company’s expansion plans.
Cuadros declared, “As Schlumberger continues to grow in Guyana, we are committed to supporting locally our operations using the local vendor base.” He recognised that because the country is new to the oil and gas sector, suppliers may not be able to compete with international vendors, however, Schlumberger is committed to local supplier development. As such, he disclosed, “Our tendering evaluation in Guyana gives a significant weight to local vendors.”
He went on to say that a robust and efficient supply chain is essential to the success of Schlumberger. “We cannot achieve this objective without collaborating and building a strong partnership with vendors in the countries where we operate. Local vendors are critical for us to ensure shorter wait times and higher reliability in the supplier process,” he emphasised.
