More than 3,400 people are working for ExxonMobil on its project for the exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources offshore the South American country of Guyana, and half of that number is Guyanese.
The US oil major has been steadily building its local workforce having started out operating out of a hotel suite in the lead up to the giant Liza discovery with just a handful of employees.
“It is truly remarkable to think how far we have come together over such a short time. Because of the low probability of success in this frontier basin, we started out quite small – laying the groundwork to explore for oil and gas while operating from a hotel suite with a handful of employees,” Country Manager, Rod Henson said, speaking at the just concluded Guyana International Petroleum Exhibition and Summit (GIPEX 2019).
Henson said multiple discoveries and several office moves later, “we have been able to grow our workforce here while expanding significantly the number of Guyanese suppliers and contractors.”
The company has been implementing a local content policy built on workforce development, supplier development, and strategic community investments.
“Overall between ExxonMobil and our main contractors here, more than 3,400 people are working on our Exploration and Liza Phase 1 Development activities. I’m very proud to say that half of those hard-working men and women are Guyanese – so over 1700 Guyanese – in these new jobs — helping to make this historic project a reality,” the Country Manager said. “We have accountants, lawyers, safety and environmental professionals, technicians, drillers and engineers.”
The company and its co-venturers Hess and CNOOC have made a record 14 discoveries at Stabroek Block amounting to more than 6 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Norway-based Rystad Energy has said revenue take from these discoveries for the Government of Guyana is projected to exceed US$120 billion.
