Helping Build a Safe, Sustainable Energy Future for Guyana
Debra Phillips
Posted November 18, 2019
As part of ongoing efforts to foster safe energy development around the world through the sharing of international industry standards and operational expertise, API is helping the country of Guyana as it builds its national energy plan – a key step in the South American nation becoming a major energy producer.
API and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) recently led talks in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, after the Guyanese government asked for support as the country nears its first-ever oil production, expected in the first quarter of 2020. API and IOGP representatives were joined in the discussions by Guyana’s Department of Energy, the Guyanese National Bureau of Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, officials representing the Guyanese president, and several other agencies.
With one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies, ExxonMobil, slated to begin production in Guyana’s vast Stabroek offshore oil field next year, API and IOGP provided training on the key standards for measuring the flow of oil from Guyana’s wells and the revenues generated by production.
National revenues generated by oil and natural gas production can help Guyana grow its economy and improve the country’s standard of living. Further, the oil and natural gas industry can help diversify Guyana’s economy and workforce by adding a wide range of jobs and improving infrastructure.
The production metering system is only the beginning of opportunities to promote safe oil and gas production in Guyana. API and partners like IOGP are assisting Guyana create a comprehensive energy infrastructure, while encouraging the adoption of international best practices and training programs for a safe and efficient transition to major energy producer.
This work in Guyana is part of API’s strategic international initiative to work with partners and countries that recognize API’s world-class standards in their national energy plans. A priority region for API is South America, along with the Middle East, Asia, and other regions that are looking to API for its expertise on safe and reliable oil and natural gas development.
API standards are regarded worldwide as the gold standard for safety, environmental protection, reliability and overall sustainable growth of energy resources. In addition, API standards are developed using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) third-party accreditation process. This allows API’s trusted standards to be adopted by regulators worldwide seeking to grow their nations’ energy industry in a safe and sustainable way.
As Guyana’s energy industry continues to grow, API looks forward to working with member companies, international, and local partners on both development and implementation of API standards and practices.
- A version of this post also appears on Oilfield Technology.com.
About The Author
Debra Phillips is senior vice president of API’s Global Industry Services division, which is responsible for standards setting, certification, training, events, publications and safety programs for industry operations. Before joining API, Debra served on the leadership team at the American Chemistry Council, where she was the catalyst behind the chemical industry’s sustainability strategy. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Albright College and holds a master’s degree in environmental toxicology from Duke University.