A Decade of Building Capacity to Support the Guyana Energy Sector
- Admin Totaltec
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
15 February, 2026, Georgetown, Guyana; One year after the news in 2015 of the significant discovery of oil by ExxonMobil in Guyana, Guyanese oil industry executive Lars Mangal decided it was time to return home for the next phase of a 25 year international career. In 2016 TOTALTEC was formed, and on the occasion of its 10 year anniversary, it is worthwhile to reflect on its founding mission and strategy, how they remain valid today, and inform the company future.
Two Facts Create a Mission
The founding mission of TOTALTEC was to accelerate building local capacity in Guyana, for the benefit of the country and its people. The strategy to deliver on the mission was founded on two facts; the Guyana oil was offshore in deepwater, and second, the country had no oil and gas industry experience, and limited technical industry experience in general.
Building local capacity and oil development content would need to take those two facts into consideration.
Regarding deepwater development, Mangal understood that very little of the equipment and none of the technology used offshore would be locally developed. However, there would be significant scope for local companies in hardware and services important to the overall project.
The second fact was that the skills the oil industry required were very different from existing ones, for example sugar and mining. For those who join, building a safety culture would be critical to success.
Career Experience Matches the Day
Reflecting back on the start of TOTALTEC, CEO Lars Mangal recalled, “With the mission of building capacity clear, there were two starting points; get the ability to do work onshore to support offshore operations, and provide Guyanese foundational safety training for the oil industry. Onshore work meant a supply base, and skilling Guyanese meant a training program.”
Regarding onshore support, Mangal had experience in oil companies getting established in countries around the world, including ExxonMobil. In 2016 he brought together the partners and their leadership that would become Guyana Shore Base, Inc. (GYSBI). The key local partner would be Muneshwers Limited, led by CEO Robin Muneshwer.
Regarding developing a Guyanese workforce, early career assignments provided Mangal the experience and connections to set up the International Petroleum & Maritime Academy (IPMA).
Execution
The combination of people and a workplace got started. The major international service companies taking part in the Exxonmobil led development realized early on the there was a long term investment to be made in Guyanese people, so they were supportive of the TOTALTEC initiative. A number provided scholarships, collaborated on courses, or put their new hires through TOTALTEC training programs.
Fast forward to today, GYSBI is the leading employer of Guyanese, with several hundred workers. The shore base enables much of the work that takes place onshore, now including manufacturing of equipment that complements the offshore scope.
Many of the (government) estimated) 7,000+ Guyanese now with industry careers have a TOTALTEC training program or course somewhere on their CV, now including online.
Reflecting on the 10 year milestone, Mangal offered, ”The first TOTALTEC decade was about putting in place foundations necessary to build local capacity, and identifying opportunities and implementing our own offering. The foundation of people and onshore facilities helped many other companies get started, ones now in the Guyana Local Content Register. This is perhaps what I am most proud of.”
Looking to the Future
Today, TOTALTEC operates a number of specialized subsidiaries which provide a diverse range of services to the energy and industrial sectors. The newest addition is a venture into hospitality, the flagship SOMA Hotel, Restaurant & Lounge, which was officially commissioned by His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali last October.
“As to the TOTALTEC strategy”, Mangal continued, “it is evolving. There is a greater level of service integration, and more facilities related scope for our customers, both existing and new.”
The next decade for TOTALTEC is on track to be every bit as challenging and exciting as the first.
Learn more:
Visit the TOTALTEC website to see the offering and get in touch. https://www.totaltec-os.com/
Visit the SOMA Hotel and Restaurant website to plan your next visit or event. https://www.somahospitalitygroup.com/
About TOTALTEC
TOTALTEC Inc. is a 100% Guyanese owned and operated company focused on building capacity in Guyana. Included are facilities and associated services, manpower - both experts and workers, project management, training - including eLearning, classroom and practical. Facilities include modular offices/shop/lab fabrication, open yards and storage areas and the CAMPBOSS Hospitality Group, which both builds and services custom designed facilities. Partnerships prioritize products and services to grow from, creating Guyanese led companies, for example Jaguar Oilfield Services.
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