Shifts in oil & gas, other economic sectors captured in 2022 census

– Chief Statistician says 2022 census 1st to collect data on agriculture

Since the last census in 2012, Guyana has undergone changes, not only in population numbers but also in sectors where Guyanese work. The 2022 census carried out by the Bureau of Statistics has placed more emphasis than ever before on capturing these economic statistics.
This was revealed by Chief Statistician Errol La Cruez, who in an interview with Guyana Times revealed that the census is the first one that has an agriculture module to collect data on the sector.
“This census is the first where we’ve included an agriculture module. And there are questions there on agriculture. It is essentially designed to give us a frame for where agriculture takes place, what kind of agriculture takes place,” La Cruez said.
“So that going forward any additional interventions, perhaps surveys and data gathering, it would be much easier to locate and identify which areas we should be working. And who is doing cattle farming or who is cattle ranching or planting crops, rice or whatever, where it is concentrated. There is that information there. We do have info on agriculture.”

There is also the oil and gas sector, which has grown in leaps and bounds compared to 2012. In fact, ExxonMobil had announced last year that since it first discovered oil in Guyana’s waters in 2015, oil giant ExxonMobil has spent more than $140 billion on local suppliers, and is responsible for over 4400 Guyanese being employed to support its activities…64 per cent of the industry’s workforce. According to the Chief Statistician, stats related to oil and gas will also feature in the census.
“We are capturing information on agriculture. We are capturing information on economic activities. We are seeing changes and shifts in the type of work people do and the sectors they are involved in. Obviously, the oil and gas sector did not exist in 2012. So that’s a new sector you will see persons being involved in. And the sectors around it. The associated sectors, services, to that oil and gas sector,” the President further said.
La Cruez noted that more data related to shifts in economic activities will be captured in the Bureau’s report. He also cautioned that the context surrounding these population shifts in the economic sectors has to be considered.
“If you’re following the context, just like what’s happening with the migrant populations. Economic changes for instance economic activities, knowing that the country is transforming and there are new economic activities. And of course, oil and gas are one of the main ones.”
“But there are others growing around it, having an understanding and appreciation for that means that when you look at the census data and you’re seeing changes that correlate with it, it is not surprising. But that means of course that there are changes. But I wouldn’t say that I’m surprised by what I’m seeing,” he also said.
Through its local affiliate EEPGL, Exxon is the operator, and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The company is currently undertaking four production projects – Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara, and Yellowtail in the oil-rich block. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production would climb to 810,000 bpd by 2027. The US oil major anticipates operating at least six floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels by 2030.
In addition to the 4400 Guyanese employed in the sector as of last year, efforts are being made to ensure Guyanese can be equipped to work in the oil and gas sector. Exxon has been collaborating with the Government to develop the Guyana Technical Training College Inc, an institution intended to deliver world-class training and certification to Guyanese workers in skilled areas that are vital to both oil and gas and the broader economy.
The five main skilled areas in which students would receive certification are: electrical; mechanical; instrumentation; process operations to support the oil and gas industry; and civil and building construction, to support the broader economy.