Locals undergo training to handle natural gas

… 1st shipment expected on Nov 11

Representatives from several key organisations underwent a four-day training on how to handle liquid natural gas (LNG), as the first shipment is expected in Guyana within two weeks.
Local manufacturing giant – Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) – teamed up with United States company, ICON LNG’s, to roll out the pilot phase of a project that will see a more cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel being commercially disturbed. This project is said to be synced with the Government’s policy of developing a green economy here.
According to founder of ICON, Eric Schubert, he saw the potential for natural gas in the Guyanese market and took the first step three years ago towards realising this project but stumbled on some hiccups as it relates to transportation of the fuel here – this is, of course, after he would have acquired the necessary approval from the requisite authorities here.
He noted that while demand for clean energy has always been there in the Caribbean, like Guyana, the ability to get it here is not easy. He stated that natural gas is much cleaner, much more environmentally friendly but getting it to desired destinations quickly, efficiently and safely, have always been a difficulty.
“It’s very tough to get products in this market in an economical way. The normal way to bring liquid natural gas is by bulk and it’s impossible given the river system, the ports and especially the river system. So myself and team put a lot of efforts into coming up with the most efficient logistical system to bring the natural gas in – we call it a virtual pipeline,” explained Schubert.
Moreover, the ICON founder posited that this project with DDL will see them connecting one of their generators to the company’s grid. This, he noted, is being done in time for the November 11 arrival of a shipment of LNG for power purposes, which will not only be the first such shipment to Guyana but also to the Caribbean.
He said too that it is very easy for his company to add its equipment to the engines of these companies without the need for additional infrastructure.
On this note, Schubert outlined that besides power generation, he is also looking to expand his supply chain here in the transportation and mining sectors. He explained that ICON has conversion kits for vehicles, which will run on all natural gas and with the flip of a switch, can go back to diesel or gasoline.
He noted that the option is there in case the natural gas runs run especially in the absence of filling stations with such fuel.
Furthermore, the ICON founder said that his company sees the mining sector as a potential “big market” since the mines themselves generate power and have very large mining equipment that can run on 100% liquefied natural gas, without even switching over to gasoline.
Additionally, Schubert remarked that ICON is also considering creating its own minigrid locally.
However, before the arrival of the shipment, ICON is ensuring that the relevant Guyanese authorities are properly trained to deal with natural gas, particularly those who may come in contact with the substance.
To this end the company held a four-day training with personnel from DDL, the Guyana Fire Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), John Fernandes, McCorp, Demerara Shipping, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the medical profession.
The training was conducted by US-based expert company HazMat Education and Training and was facilitated by DDL, where the participants were rewarded with requisite certificates on Friday during a simple graduation/closing ceremony.
HazMat expert on hazardous material Daniel Wright, was the lead instructor and explained that the sessions were focused primarily on hazardous operations and emergency response. He noted that the training was well received by the participants.
Meanwhile, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin during brief remarks recognised that the training provides a useful way of increasing the understanding of natural gas as the country looks to the need of reliable, affordable and clean energy.
“Anyone who seeks to explain the Guyanese economy and our inability to competitively produce for the global market and our failure so far to developing a competitive manufacturing industry, usually speaks of the lack of affordable and reliable energy as one of the main causes. So it is good to see that some action is being taken by one of our local manufacturing companies and a reputable local manufacturing company at that to explore new options for addressing this very vexing problem,” he asserted, while commending ICON for focusing on the issue of safety before the start of the pilot programme.