Exxon has six months to present local content plan

ExxonMobil has to supply the Government with a local content plan within six months as part of the production licence which it was recently granted.

Natural Resources Minsiter Raphael Trotman told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the plan will cover the years leading up to production in 2020.

“So that we will know how local content, both in terms of employment and procurement, and the provision of goods and services will be phased into this project over the next three years going into production,” Minister Trotman said.

The minister added he was “very happy” that ExxonMobil and its partners have made their financial investment decision (FID) to proceed with phase one development of the Liza field. The Minister noted the decision is the “the largest investment in Guyana’s history”. Phase one is projected to cost Exxon and its partners US$4.4B.

Additionally, Minister Trotman pointed out that the draft Local Content Policy has already been shared with the private sector as part of facilitating consultations before it is brought to the National Assembly.

“This is a raw draft; it is not a perfect document; I know it has weaknesses I need your help to tell me where to give it strength and so we’re getting some comments coming back from them,” Minister Trotman said he expressed to the private sector.

The Local Content Policy is expected to be finalised by August.