Large-scale investments targeted as ExxonMobil advances Guyana gas plans

Efforts to develop a domestic gas market in Guyana remain a priority, particularly in Berbice, where large-scale investments are being explored.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, said that while timelines for development depend on market demand, the company will be ready to supply gas once sufficient infrastructure and “anchor projects” are established.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, he said preliminary discussions have also begun with neighbouring Suriname on potential collaboration, although Guyana is currently more advanced in resource development.
“We are moving quickly… We’ll be ready when the market is ready. Our priority is trying to ensure we build that market, which of course is a collaboration with the government as well as other investors in the country. We have had some initial engagement with Suriname… it’s at a very preliminary stage,” Routledge noted.
He explained that anchor projects will be required to justify infrastructure investments, which can exceed US$2 billion.
Routledge also highlighted strong interest from investors around the world in sectors such as power generation, manufacturing, alumina production, expanded energy generation, and data services.
“To date, several levels of interest have been submitted to the government themselves, indicating interest in projects… So, we can see real interest in building a domestic gas market, which in the earlier stages would require us to have some large anchor projects. These are projects that are large enough to give us the demand needed from an offshore supply point of view – to make it worthwhile investing in significant infrastructure,” he said.
Routledge emphasised that large consumers are critical to making these investments commercially viable.
“We can see a real interest in building a domestic gas market… particularly in the Berbice area. We plan more engagements with the communities and the businesses in the Berbice area as this continues to build momentum,” he noted.
He stressed that, in order to move forward, the company must be confident that it can proceed with a sustainable gas market.