-further investment planned
Massy Gas Products (Guyana) Ltd (MGPGL) on Thursday commissioned an Air Separation Plant at its East Bank Demerara facility which is intended to meet the country’s oxygen and nitrogen needs.
A release from the company said that the liquid oxygen and nitrogen plant has a production capacity of 13 tons per day and is designed to meet the growing demands of Guyana’s medical and industrial sectors.
The state-of-the-art plant has been operational since 2023. The release said that it produces liquid oxygen with a purity of 99.9%, surpassing the standards required for both medical and industrial applications. The nitrogen gas produced has an oxygen content level of 0.15 parts per million, surpassing the 10 ppm O2 specifications local beverage companies and other industry users need.
According to the release, the Air Separation Plant was manufactured in India by Cosmodyne, a subsidiary of Nikkiso, a Japanese company. It is fully operated and maintained independently by the 100% Guyanese Massy Gas local team, the release said.
Massy Gas said that the plant is also well-positioned to support the oil and gas sector, supplying nitrogen for turnarounds, start-ups, and shutdowns, including the expected commissioning of the gas-to-shore pipeline.
Augustus Harris, CEO of MGPGL highlighted the thinking behind this investment stating, “This project was contemplated with the future of our growing and dynamic economy in mind. With the continued growth and expansion in all sectors, particularly the Oil and Gas and manufacturing sectors, we have selected this 13-tons-per-day plant. We are confident that, considering the trajectory of the economy, our plant will be able to satisfy the demand for oxygen and nitrogen.”
In keeping with MGPGL’s vision of meeting the demands of a growing economy and optimising resource use, the company is committed to expanding its capabilities. Harris added, “MGPGL will invest in a 3-ton per day Co2 filling plant by December 2024 and, later, a CO2 production plant.”
The new plant also optimises energy usage and achieves cost savings, aligning with the company’s broader goals of innovation and sustainability.
Vaughn Martin, Chairman of the Gases Portfolio in the Massy Group, said, “For 56 years, we have had the privilege of operating in this beautiful country, building partnerships, serving industries, and contributing to the local economy. Our journey here began with a humble yet determined vision to bring quality and innovative solutions to Guyana. Over the years, we’ve grown together, evolving alongside the country’s industrial landscape. And today, we take another giant step forward. Massy continued to invest in Guyana.”
The release said that Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat praised the Massy Group for recognising Guyana’s potential for growth and choosing to invest in the country.
He acknowledged that one of the major challenges preventing Guyana from becoming a manufacturing nation is the high cost and unreliability of energy. However, he noted that the government’s Gas to Energy project is expected to slash energy costs by 50% and afford the people a reliable source of energy. Commending the Massy Group, he said, “The Massy Group of Companies did all of this at the high energy cost that I speak of, and they stuck with us through thick and thin, and for that, they must be congratulated—congratulated for being a cornerstone in the development of our country.”