Listen to this article
Below is our recent interview with Gomatie Gangadin, Public Relations Manager at Guyana Shore Base Inc.:
Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to your company?
A: Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) is the premier shore base operator in Guyana. It is a Guyanese owned company, which provides a full logistics service to ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. In 2013, Muneshwers Limited purchased 30 acres of waterfront land at the very fortuitously-named area of Houston on the outskirts of the capital city. At that time, the intention was to develop the land into a container yard for excesses from Muneshwers Water Street Port. However, following the discovery of oil offshore Guyana, the company took a calculated risk, pouring millions into the facility, without the benefit of a contract, and then teamed up with local and foreign companies who had decades of experience in the industry to create the company that is now Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI). In 2017, GYSBI successfully tendered for, and now provides a shore base facility and associated services to support the oil and gas exploration and development programs for ExxonMobil. The tender initially covered 8 acres, 2 berths and one warehouse but today we are at 170 acres, 4 berths and 8 warehouses and growing.
Q: Any highlights on your recent announcement?
A: GYSBI commenced operations in Aug 2017 with just 5 employees. Today it is at 616 employees, 95 percent of whom are Guyanese nationals. GYSBI’s growth has mirrored Exxon’s unparalleled discoveries in the Stabroek block. Seeing what we have accomplished in just five years and now having an 11 year extension contract, we are obviously excited for the future and the growth these 11 years will bring.
Recommended: Meet Koakuma – A P2E Gamefi 2.0 Project Packed With Lots To Explore And Earn
Q: Can you give us more insights into your offering?
A: Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) serves as the preferred offshore support for oil and gas operators in Guyana. We offer services ranging from waste management, chemical storage, warehousing, construction, supply chain management, expatriate management, and customs and logistics services. With immediate water access and four berths, our main port consists of 30 acres of developed land, while our 140 acres industrial estate has been developed to suit a myriad of needs, from simple storage to complex chemical mixing and loading. Our facilities operate 24/7/365. Throughout the years, GYSBI has expanded beyond the traditional pipe yards found in Guyana.
GYSBI’s growth path is to add value to our facility by providing for our existing clients and future customers while working under the mandate and template of the Local Content Act. It is not just about being a pipe yard or just expanding our footprint, which of course, we are actively pursuing, but it is also about collaborating with other companies, local and foreign, to bring additional value to what we do.
We have already started to build on this vision with the establishment of our first joint venture – Sustainable Environmental Solutions (SES), which is a state-of-the-art, majority-Guyanese owned company that manages the waste of the drilling activities.
We have also started expansion works at our Industrial Estate at McDoom, East Bank Demerara where we provide long term and short-term storage solutions, including warehousing and open yard.
We have also embarked on a Joint Venture with UTC Overseas. UTC represents a well-established name in the maritime industry and will allow us to better serve the logistics needs of the sector. We are still in the stages of finalizing the other partnerships so at the appropriate time, these will be publicized. Over the coming months, the company will be ramping up our services in other areas.
We take pride in our team, which includes dedicated experts in the areas of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), Permitting and Licensing, Real Estate, Procurement and Construction and Maintenance. We are proudly a world-class Guyanese facility, leading the way in delivering service excellence to our clients.
Q: What can we expect from your company in next 6 months? What are your plans?
A: With new discoveries and continued drilling activities by ExxonMobil and other offshore operators, there will be a greater need for support services. As a majority- Guyanese- owned company, we want to ensure that we can position ourselves to offer these services right here in Guyana, not just for the benefit of the company but also in our drive to develop local content and provide beneficial opportunities for our citizens to participate in the oil and gas sector. At present, we have several projects ongoing at GYSBI. Within another few months, we will see the completion of ‘Berths Three and Four.’ The construction of these two additional berths are being done to the cost of approximately US$16 million. These berths are being constructed through the use of Open Cell Sheet Pile system and will allow for larger vessels and heavier lifting capabilities. Most local facilities are limited in their heavy-lift capacity. These new berths will allow us up to 100 tons per square meter, thereby significantly increasing our heavy lift capacity. We can put a much larger crane on them and lift heavier loads, both on and off vessels. Once these berths come on stream, it therefore means that heavy-lifting services that were previously provided out of Trinidad and Tobago, can now be offered right here in Guyana. So, we are not only expanding GYSBI’s facilities and capabilities, but we are also developing local content and capturing opportunities within the industry.
GYSBI also has a 90 acres Industrial Estate, which it is rapidly being built out. Currently, several acres of land preparations works and construction of warehouses are also taking place.
Q: What is the best thing about your company that people might not know about?
A: GYSBI has developed a shore base that ExxonMobil and the country can be justifiably proud of – world-class in our standards, processes, safety records, SOP’s, work ethics, efficiency, competence, equipment, and infrastructure. It is an example of Guyanese excellence and every citizen should and could be proud of this facility. Many persons often mistake it for a foreign entity but it is Guyanese owned. Just recently, we were able to celebrate two years or 700 days of zero Loss Time Injuries (LTI), which is an incredible achievement for any business operating in this highly technical field. We are incredibly proud of our local staff, who have shown a keen interest in growing, learning and participating in this industry and we are happy to provide those opportunities to them.
