10 February 2023 – Georgetown, Guyana – The second Guyana Energy Conference & Expo agenda taking place 14-17 February Includes a number of talks and panels critical to the long term, among them sustainable development, energy transition, Environment-Social-Governance (ESG), and the role of women. The titles of speakers and panel participants - including country presidents, ministers, CEOs, international company business leaders, ambassadors - demonstrate the importance of these issues as Guyana rapidly develops in a highly complex world.
The unique situation of Guyana as both a rapidly growing economy and developing country driven by oil wealth - at a time of concern over climate, environment and social issues - presents a unique opportunity for attendees and their organizations. Ideas on strategy, policy, technology, and innovation are expected to dominate discussions over the course of next week’s event - and likely some deal-making.
A Challenging Combination
This mix of topics on the Energy Conference agenda demonstrates that Guyana leadership recognizes both the challenge and opportunity of developing in a world where producing hydrocarbons and preserving the environment are in conflict.
Agenda items and speakers related to responsible development include:
Low Carbon Development Strategy and Initiatives
Keynote speaker: The Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
Guyana’s Sustainable Approach to Energy Sector Development
The Honourable Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy
Pradeepa Bholanath, Senior Director for Climate and REDD+, Ministry of Natural Resources, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana
TOTALTEC CEO Lars Mangal commented, “Guyana is unique in history by discovering oil to fund its development at the time when the global consensus is that we must move away from it as an energy source.”
Mangal continued, “For energy companies operating in Guyana, there is a ‘once in history’ opportunity to innovate on strategy, policy and technology that informs their own transition, both as successful businesses and responsible global citizens. It remains to be seen if this opportunity will be taken. Certainly, our government is showing leadership and openness to collaboration.”
Panels Reflect the Breadth of the Event
A portion of talks and panels dedicated to development, sustainability, building local capacity and content, show that the event is driven by the priorities of a country, rather than by that of an industry.
Commented Mangal, “This event is very different from the many industry organized ones worldwide, which are led by industry societies or ‘conferences for money’ companies.”
Mangal continued, “This is very much by Guyanese for Guyana, putting the priorities of development - building capacity and improving lives in communities, over the long term - in context with international companies here with their own business interests.”
The role of Women in Energy will feature at the event with a panel discussion, including ones currently in leadership positions:
Sharlene S. Seegoolam, Managing Director, Guyana and Antilles, SLB
Grace Hutson, Account Manager, Halliburton Caribbean Geo Market
Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters, Director, Centre for Local Business Development
Shanette Rayside, Human Resources Team Leader, Saipem Guyana
Chricell Whitney, Crude Lifting Analyst, ExxonMobil Guyana
Moderator: Dr Priya Marajh, Board Director, Touchstone Exploration Inc.
Environment, Social, and Governance has become a framework through which organizations report to their stakeholders. Participants on the ESG panel on Day 2 of the event include:
Shyam Nokta, Managing Director, Environmental Management Consultants
His Excellency, René van Nes, European Union Ambassador to Guyana
Kemraj Parsram, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana
Dr Paulette Bynoe, Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Guyana
Moderator: Natalia Seepersaud, Attorney at Law
Solar Projects in Guyana will be presented as part of sustainable development initiatives.
Dr. Mahender Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Energy Agency
Isaac Solomon, Vice President, Caribbean Development Bank
Major Service Companies Take the Stage
Leadership of a number of the major international service companies supporting Guyana operations will take part in a panel titled ‘The role of technology and innovation in the energy transition’. The include:
Dinesh Baldeosingh, Senior Technical Professional, Halliburton
Sayed Fahim, Outcome Value ESG Performance Lead, SLB
Jim Clyde, Vice President, CTC Global
Dave Dennis, President & CEO, Instream Energy Systems
Jon Charles Rhodes, Guyana Country Director, Baker Hughes
Moderator: Wazim Mohamed Mowla, Associate Director & Caribbean Lead, Atlantic Council
“The oilfield service companies have challenges similar to those of energy companies.” commented TOTALTEC CEO Mangal, “They will incrementally improve their ESG metrics during the energy transition. However, moving away from oil as the source of their core business is something completely different.”
Mangal continued, “If major service companies are committed to moving beyond oil, they will likely undertake acquisitions and partnerships in the renewable sector. Guyana could provide opportunities for projects and partnerships to inform the way forward for their larger, global businesses.”
Visit the conference website at: https://guyanaenergy.gy/
About TOTALTEC
TOTALTEC Inc. is a majority Guyanese owned and operated company focused on the success of the energy industry in Guyana for the benefit of the country, its people, and partner companies. It does this through three areas: people, partnerships, and facilities. Qualified and motivated Guyanese develop through the TOTALTEC Academy, where more than 1,600 have been trained to international standards. Partnerships prioritize products and services that are starting points to grow from, creating Guyanese led companies, for example Jaguar Oilfield Services. Facilities include multi-client offices, open yards, workshops and storage areas operated by TOTAL-BASE Services Guyana Inc., adjacent to Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI). A complete range of services to onshore/offshore operations is provided on TOTAL-BASE facilities. The TOTALTEC 96% Guyanese workforce includes 6 nationalities with more than 160 years of international oilfield experience. https://www.totaltec-os.com
The Guyana Conference is unique as an event driven by the priorities of the country, rather than those of an industry. The agenda speakers, panels and talks reflect this.