Canada willing, ready to share O&G expertise with Guyana – High Commissioner

Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee has said that her country was willing and ready to share its expertise and experience with Guyana given its history in commercial oil production and clean oil and gas technologies.
The High Commissioner, who was at the time delivering the keynote address on Day 2 of the Caribbean Oil and Gas Virtual Summit (CARIVS) 2020, noted that the Canadian Private Sector in particular has much to offer Guyana in terms of world-class technologies, a wealth of expertise, and a sound track record in oil and gas, infrastructure, renewables, and clean technologies.
She expressed that Canada was “ready to assist Guyana with innovative solutions including technology that reduces the environmental footprint while maximising the energy potential of Guyana””
During her presentation, Chatterjee highlighted the long-standing relationship between Canada and Guyana and noted that Canada invested millions of dollars in research and development to support clean oil and gas technologies to help to sustainably develop Canada’s hydrocarbon reserves.
She explained that through initiatives such as Canada’s Oil Sands Innovative Alliance, researchers from around the world come together to work on improving the industry’s environmental performance.
Chatterjee pointed out that Canada embraced clean technologies and noted that given that the industry would be around for a long time, stakeholders have a responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint.
The High Commissioner went on to share lessons learnt through Canada’s experience in the sector and how they contribute to how Canadian firms conduct business overseas.
She also noted that Canada believed that trade and investment should improve lives both in Canada and overseas, and supported Guyana’s efforts to develop its people and resources.
Chatterjee further expressed that Guyana currently benefited from development assistance from Canada in areas such as climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, the extractive sector governance, and Private Sector development.
CARIVS was set up to connect stakeholders and parties interested in the oil and gas sector in Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and The Bahamas to explore opportunities.
Other speakers at the three-day event include Barbados’s Prime Minister, Mia Mottley; Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat; ExxonMobil Guyana’s President and General Manager, Alistair Routledge and many other key oil and gas executives.