Three local companies: Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services Inc. (GOGSSI), Industrial Fabrications Inc. (InFab), and Zeco Group of Services are at the forefront of steel fabrication for the sixth Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the `Jaguar’, which should be extracting oil by the end of 2027.
Together, the three companies will provide 316 metric tons of steelwork, surpassing work on previous FPSOs. This work includes essential structures such as handrails, W-beams, lighting fixtures, and module connection plates, all produced to meet rigorous international standards.
During a ceremony held yesterday at the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI) Houston office, SBM Offshore Guyana General Manager Martin Cheong emphasized the importance of this project as a symbol of both local industrial progress and the skills of Guyana’s workforce stating that “this gathering is yet another indication of our commitment to building local content. Our fabricators demonstrate an impressive ability to meet international standards of fabrication, and we are proud to witness their growth.”
President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, echoed this sentiment, underscoring ExxonMobil’s commitment to fostering opportunities for the local workforce.
“ExxonMobil, alongside our partners, has been able to deliver back-to-back opportunities in the fabrication space. With more FPSOs to be constructed, there will be many more opportunities like these for the local workforce.”
Each of the three fabricators shared their perspectives on the project’s significance and its impact on their development.
Founded by Zahir Hack, Zeco Group of Services has grown from a small welding and fabrication shop to a major industrial partner in the oil and gas sector. Hack reflected on the company’s journey and its commitment to fostering local talent. He said that the company started their journey with SBM during the first quarter of 2023 when they qualified as a supplier for the One Guyana FPSO. Since then he added that “we have been proud to supply other FPSOs. Our focus is on providing an atmosphere where local talent is promoted”.
Managed by Jerry Max Gouveia and Dylan Fields, InFab has been a key contributor to the project’s success. Gouveia who was in attendance remarked “Since we founded InFab, we have supported the growth of Guyana’s industrial capacities. Our participation has laid the foundation for further development, and we are committed to contributing to a future where Guyana’s energy sector drives prosperity for all Guyanese.”
Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, Director of GOGSSI, highlighted the company’s role in upskilling the local workforce, particularly by bringing in talent from other industries such as agriculture and mining
“The work we have done has allowed us to train many local workers and upskill them to meet the demands of this industry. By taking welders from agriculture and mining backgrounds and elevating their skills, we are building a capacity that will have a lasting impact on the community.”
This project sets the stage for future developments expected to bring production capacity on the Stabroek Block to over 1.3 million barrels per day by the end of the decade.
The Jaguar FPSO will be the centrepiece of the US$12.7 billion Whiptail project which will include up to 10 drill centres with 48 production and injection wells. Whiptail, the sixth project on the Stabroek block, is expected to add around 250,000 barrels of daily capacity by the end of 2027. ExxonMobil discovered oil at Whiptail on July 28, 2021. (Milton Grannum)
