Guyanese officials have been sharpening their skills in the management of oil and gas resources at the United States Embassy-sponsored two-day workshop to this effect. The workshop, led by the U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), was held at the Pegasus Hotel from May 10 to May12.
Titled “Managing Offshore Oil and Gas Resources”, it attracted approximately thirty officials from a wide cross-section of government agencies, according to a joint statement released on May13.
Participants at the workshop (U.S. Embassy photo)
The United States has partnered with the government of Guyana under the Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative – a U.S. Department of State-led global effort to provide a range of valuable technical support to the governments and institutions of selected countries that are expected to become emerging oil and gas producers. Through the Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI), Guyana has access to the U. S. government’s top experts, along with their global expertise on issues related to petroleum geology, licensing, exploration and production operations, revenue management, policy reform, regulation and implementation, and energy sector finance and taxation.
EGCI also provides the benefit of building both high-level and working contact networks to provide unbiased, sound advice and guidance, as well as lasting relationships that can further long-term institutional stability, sector development, and governance.
The workshop provided the participants with a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and activities of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement in the United States. Participants also engaged in detailed discussions of how issues relevant to Guyana’s offshore oil and gas sector are handled in the United States, including geologic and economic modelling; reviewing, authorising and inspecting exploration and production infrastructure; and environmental review and compliance.
Support such as this will go a far way to assist Guyana, the new kid on the block as it relates to offshore drilling. The Takutu Oil and Gas Inc and Canadian-based CGX are two companies that have started exploration here.
