Guyanese technicians get to work producing nation’s oil

A group of 24 technicians who have recently returned from overseas training abroad is expected to work on oil production in Guyana.
Before heading offshore for on-the-job training on the Liza Destiny, a few of the operations and maintenance (O&M) technicians who recently completed training at Canada’s Cape Brenton University shared their experiences and optimism for Guyana’s future. “I’m so excited and cannot wait to actually be doing practical work and getting my hands dirty,” said Royston Khalil, an electrical technician.
Khalil, 28, hails from the Number 4 Village in West Coast Berbice (WCB), and studied electrical installation at the GuySuCo Training Centre where he was an apprentice for four years before his training in Canada.
Additionally, Alex Latchman, a mechanical technician who was also a former apprentice at the GuySuCo Training Centre, said that he is upbeat about the prospects, for which he believes his training has positioned him well.
“These newly garnered skills are necessary for me to perform my roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently onboard the Liza Destiny which is ultimately responsible for producing Guyana’s oil,” he said.
During their time of study at abroad, the technicians said their main challenge, was being away from their loved ones.
The oil and gas industry, like many other technically inclined sectors, have often been dominated by men, but this reality is not preventing a female technician from doing her best. Faudia Ramjohn is one of two women from this first group of trainees.
She said: “Developing a country’s resource is one thing, but developing my country’s resource adds entirely new feelings— those of pride, responsibility, an obsession to get it right and to do it as safely as possible”.
The O&M technicians would be deployed to the FPSO Liza Destiny where they will work directly for Destiny operator SBM Offshore, in support of ExxonMobil and our partners, to produce Guyana’s oil and gas.
During their training they were introduced to basic systems training in four disciplines: electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and operations. This was followed by hands-on work in a classroom setting, and they will now put their training to work on the FPSO where they will be mentored by experienced experts from SBM Offshore and other business partners.
The development model for operations and maintenance employees is designed for trainees to advance from trainee technician to fully qualified technician over a period of time with certification and validation check points along the way.
The young Guyanese will now replace experienced international workers over the coming years. (G9)