PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – Suriname’s growing offshore oil and gas sector must focus on proving worker competence rather than relying solely on training certificates if it is to maintain high safety standards, according to OPITO’s Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships South America, Patrick Modolo.
Speaking during a Health, Safety, Security and Environment panel at the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS) Day Two, Modolo said the country’s transition from offshore exploration to development is creating unprecedented demand for skilled personnel.
The discoveries in Block 58, which underpin the GranMorgu project, have accelerated the move toward development and created pressure to mobilize competent workers at a pace that traditional training systems were not designed to support.
“When we discuss rapid offshore expansion and workforce scaling, we must always remember our industry’s history,” Modolo noted, pointing to the Piper Alpha disaster in the North Sea, which claimed 167 lives.
Suriname’s GranMorgu development to incorporate range of innovations – TotalEnergies | OilNOW
He argued that safety manuals, training programs and certification remain essential but are not sufficient on their own to prevent serious incidents.
“True safety relies on continuously verified competence under normal operations or under emergency situations,” he said.
According to Modolo, one of the industry’s biggest challenges is ensuring that people working in safety-critical roles are not only trained and certified, but can consistently perform to required standards in high-risk environments.
Saipem’s Normand Navigator moored in Suriname to kickstart GranMorgu subsea work | OilNOW
The challenge is particularly important for contractors, who play a major role across offshore operations. Citing data from the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), Modolo said contractors account for 82% of fatalities and permanent impairment incidents reported by the industry.
“It means as part of industry reporting that out of 10 incidents involving fatalities and permanent impairments, eight are directly related to contractor operations,” he outlined.
Modolo said competency management systems can help operators, contractors and regulators establish common standards for assessing, monitoring and verifying workforce capability. Such systems rely on clearly defined competency requirements, workplace-based assessments, independent verification and detailed recordkeeping.
SEOGS opens with focus on preparing Surinamese people for oil-driven growth | OilNOW
He said too that a structured approach provides organizations with a clearer understanding of workforce strengths and development needs while supporting safer operations across the supply chain.
As Suriname prepares for first oil production, Modolo said effective competency management can help align expectations among regulators, operators and contractors while supporting workforce development and retention.
“It directly supports operational and safety alignment and confidence between regulator, field operator and contractors,” he said.
