As exploration and production activities offshore Guyana continue to expand, so too are the needs of the multiple contractors servicing the oil and gas industry. Over 700 local businesses participated this week in ExxonMobil’s virtual Guyana Supplier Forum where they learnt more about these upcoming procurement opportunities, procedures, and requirements directly from ExxonMobil and its prime contractors.
The local vendors interacted with contractors through a series of virtual presentations and LIVE question and answer (Q&A) sessions at the Forum which was hosted by the Centre for Local Business Development with sponsorship from ExxonMobil Guyana and the Stabroek Block Co-Venturers, Hess and CNOOC.
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On the first day of the Forum a series of pre-recorded video presentations from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Centre, the Private Sector Commission, ExxonMobil Guyana and leading Prime Contractors aired on the Forum website: www.guyanasupplierforum.com. These presentations shared valuable information on the procurement process, key contacts, and upcoming tenders.
On days 2-5, more than 400 local businesses registered and participated in LIVE Q&A sessions facilitated by the Centre with ExxonMobil Guyana and its Prime Contractors including: Guyana Deepwater Offshore/SBM, Saipem, TechnipFMC, Guyana Shorebase Inc. (GYBSI), G-Boats, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Noble Drilling Services, Stena Drilling Ltd., and NABI- KCL.
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During the Q&A sessions, local businesses were able to direct questions on specific issues and areas of interest to the Prime Contractors.
In his welcoming presentation, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge affirmed the company’s long-term commitment to support socioeconomic development and uplift the quality of life in communities where it operates.
“We continue to work closely with our subcontractors and suppliers, investing time, people and resources to qualify and develop local capabilities. Reliable and competitive local suppliers contribute greatly to the overall success of Guyana as an expanding oil producing nation,” he said.
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He noted that Exxon continues to solidify and enhance its partnerships with local businesses and pledged his company’s firm commitment to partner with the Government of Guyana and local businesses to help build an oil and gas sector that provides long- term inclusive economic and social growth for the nation.
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The Guyanese businesses which participated in the Forum were registered on the Centre’s Supplier Registration Portal (SRP) and continue to benefit from its services and product offerings.
Centre Director, Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters noted, “The Forum provided a great opportunity for Guyanese businesses to interact directly with ExxonMobil Guyana and its Prime Contractors. A great deal of important scheduling, procurement and contact information was shared over the course of five days. The Centre is pleased to have organized a successful virtual event and will continue to support local businesses in the coming year to reach their goals.”
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She added that, “throughout the pandemic, the Centre while taking the necessary precautions continued to provide its services and informational products online and conducted a series of seminars on Health, Safety, Security and the Environment (HSSE) and Analytics, as well as providing timely business and procurement updates.”
Dr. Gaskin-Peters said the Centre is gearing up to support the rapid pace of growth in 2021 through its innovative ISO 9001 and HSSE Management System programmes as well as expanding its business seminars and courses.
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The Centre is Guyana’s leading source for oil and gas business and industry information, professional development, and networking. Since opening in July 2017, it has registered over 4,700 business on its Supplier Registration Portal, conducted over 3,000 oil & gas seminar sessions, cultivated over 700 oil & gas sector vendors, and delivered Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) programmes to over 220 businesses.
