Guyana does not yet have the occupational and safety expertise to regulate a gas processing facility or oil refinery
The procedures for establishing the requirements for occupational health and safety (OHS), and the monitoring there of are lagging. The planned building of a gas processing facility and an oil refinery requires the establishment of a robust (OHS) government agency. Officials need to be hired, training needs to occur, clear regulations need to be outlined, and the building & management of the facilities need to conform to the regulations that are going to be established.
Trinidad and Tobago have already gone through this learning curve and have the experience and knowledge to assist in these new ventures. Given the excess capacity of our partner in CARICOM, the use of Trinidad and Tobago for the processing and refining of our gas and oil for the proposed purposes would be a better option. However, the government seems determined to pursue establishing local capabilities in these areas. To do so safely and effectively we must first establish an arm of the government that will support these facilities by providing the criteria and regulations to ensure worker and facility safety. The environmental impact of these undertakings can be quite significant and should not be underestimated. The risks are substantial!
Currently, the government is struggling with enforcing regulations for working from heights in the construction sector. This is minor when compared to the risks associated with a gas pipeline & processing facility, and an oil refinery. The procedural discipline and professional integrity necessary to safeguard the workers, the exposed neighbourhoods and the environment is of a very high standard. CRG is of the opinion that Guyana is not ready for such an undertaking. Fix the construction industry first and also take the time to develop the professionals needed to manage an oil refinery and gas facility. Using Trinidad for this purpose by establishing an agreement for them to hire our people to process the gas and refine the oil would be an appropriate first step. It will allow us to still capitalize on the financial opportunities while providing the necessary capabilities for the government to manage such an undertaking.
A strong OHS agency within the government can be simultaneously established to ensure that we build and manage the processing plant and refinery safely, effectively and efficiently. If the mismanagement of GPL, which resulted in an increase in power outages due to maintenance issues is any indication of the problems that could occur, then we must proceed with caution. Loss of electricity is a minor problem when compared to the disastrous impact of a mismanaged gas processing facility or a mismanaged oil refinery. It is in our best interest to embrace the capabilities and knowledge of our CARICOM partner. Trinidad and Tobago has offered to help. We should accept their assistance.