Second phase of Berbice training facility for completion in 2025

Authorities in Guyana are pursuing the second phase of a training facility in Berbice with support from ExxonMobil, slated for completion in 2025. The first phase, a simulator for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, was commissioned in February at Port Mourant.

At a public meeting last Monday, ExxonMobil’s Global Projects Cost Engineering Manager, Rebecca Cvikota said, “We have a much larger training facility that’s still in development, which will be finished in 2025. We’re really proud of the work that’s been done between us, SBM [Offshore] our partner [and] the government to build the competency of the Guyanese workforce for the long term.” 

The US$13 million FPSO facility simulator that was commissioned in February is called FacTor and is designed to accommodate a batch of 24 students. The first batch of trainee technicians graduated early July, undergoing nine months of practical skills training in Instrumentation, Production, Electrical, and Mechanical fields. This prepared them to move on to practical training onboard the Liza Unity FPSO.

FacTor is located at the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) which aims to equip Guyanese for jobs in the booming oil and gas and hospitality sectors. GTTCI aims to provide industry-standard training akin to the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, had said more than US$100 million will be invested to develop the facility. It complements Local Content legislation which creates a framework for training and hiring of locals for opportunities in the oil and gas sector. 

The government is investing in the development of infrastructure in Berbice and is advocating for the oil and gas sector to migrate some onshore support services to the county. The Stabroek Block co-venturers are supporting this objective with construction of a multi-purpose facility at Palmyra. They are contributing approximately US$17.7 million through the Greater Guyana Initiative, an ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC US$100 million initiative.