In addition to Petrobras, there are other Brazilian companies with the intention of exploring oil and gas assets in the neighboring country of Amapá

Representatives of the Brazilian multinational Petrobras presented on Monday (29) a five-year strategic plan for the next oil and gas sector in Guyana, which includes technical assistance, export and import services and training.

The plan was presented to Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams, under her new portfolio as Minister of State, during a courtesy visit in the Ministry of the Presidency's meeting room. Minister Hastings-Williams told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that talks between the corporation and the government have been very fruitful and promising. She hopes this can be reinforced by the representatives' willingness to provide a comprehensive proposal.

This, she said, will allow relevant stakeholders to have a better understanding of the information provided to see the best way for the government to partner with Petrobras. “We [the Coalition government] are interested in having many countries involved in this oil exploration and production platform. As you know, oil production is greater than that of bauxite, gold... this does not mean that the country's other natural resources will be left aside; It just means we have to be extremely careful,” she added.

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The head of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, who attended the meeting, said the government welcomes the company's support. “We are like you; we have a vision, a strategic plan in terms of where we are going… we currently have a roadmap and we are confident that over time we will start to improve our own capabilities through buying experience from others and then the Guyanese experience moving forward as a minister. nominated with training, ”said the head of the DoE.

He noted that despite the current challenges related to the oil and gas industry, Guyana hopes to establish a concrete plan that will benefit its citizens. It was highlighted that Guyana has so far benefited from over US$16 billion (US$75 million) directly from the oil and gas sector.

Petrobras is still negotiating with the government to secure an oil block off the coast of Guyana. The company had officially applied for an oil block early last year and is still in the process of trying to acquire the block, Brazil's deputy ambassador to Guyana, Ronaldo Vieira had told the Guiana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

“They are still dealing with this particular block, but it's not just Petrobras, there are several Brazilian companies that are trying to enter the market here; we are connecting with local companies to connect with those in Brazil. “It's the same level as ExxonMobil. Petrobras explores and drills and does a lot of things related to that, but there are smaller companies that supply parts, manage the platform and so on,” he said.

Vieira also said that there are many opportunities related to the oil and gas industry. Petrobras is looking to capitalize on the opportunities. It is one of several major oil companies looking to acquire offshore blocks in Guyana.

US oil company Chevron and France's Total are also reported to be among nine companies seeking the remaining oil blocks and the government is exploring both "direct commitments" and a "bidding process" to assign them.

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The companies that own blocks in the deep water area, off the coast of Guyana, are: Repsol and Tullow Oil (the Kanuku block); Tullow (Orinduik's block); Anadarko (the Roraima block); Oil of Proportion (the Kaieteur Block); Esso, CNOOC Nexen and Hess (the Stabroek Block); Esso, Mid Atlantic and JHI (the Canje Block; CGX (the Demerara and Corentyne blocks); ON Energy; and Nabi.

Petrobras, founded in 1953, specializes in exploration and production, refining, marketing, transportation, petrochemicals, distribution of petroleum derivatives, natural gas, electricity, chemical gas and biofuels.