“We believe that the success of our endeavours in Guyana is closely linked to our company’s reputation,” ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge emphasized during a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal. The economic growth of Guyana is significantly impacted by ExxonMobil’s involvement, with a remarkable 62.3% increase in its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 and an expected growth of 28.2% for the current year, along with a projected growth rate of over 20% for 2024. This growth is primarily driven by expanded oil production from new projects, positively influencing non-oil sectors like construction and hospitality.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Exxon, Hess, and Chinese oil company CNOOC have discovered over 11 billion barrels of oil off the Guyanese coast, potentially lasting for decades. Chevron has also joined this venture by acquiring a stake in the Guyana project through a $53 billion stock purchase from Hess.
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that Exxon’s presence is visible in Guyana, with billboards advertising job opportunities and promises of cheaper domestic power through a gas-powered plant. Exxon has supported various initiatives, including port development and events like women’s empowerment conferences and environmental workshops.
According to a news release by ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, believes that early capacity-building investments are paying dividends, as seen in the local oil and gas industry’s growth of local content numbers.
The President of Exxon Mobil, Alistair Routledge, is not only managing a vast oil and gas project in Guyana but is participating in and supporting different activities such as sports and social organizations in Guyana. Mr. A. Routledge has made it his duty to connect with the people of Guyana. It is fair to say that no foreign business leaders have done so much in a short period for Guyanese society than Mr. A. Routledge.
The President of ExxonMobil, Guyana, played a crucial role with the government of Guyana in introducing the Local Content policy. The local content policy offers the Guyanese workforce and supply chain the business opportunity to participate in the Oil and Gas sector, thus helping local businesses earn from the Guyana Oil and Gas boom.
More than 4,400 Guyanese support the company’s operations, representing 64 percent of the industry’s workforce ¹. The company has also collaborated with the government to develop the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. The institution is intended to deliver world-class training and certification to Guyanese workers in five primary skills areas: electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and process operations to support the oil and gas industry, as well as civil and building construction to support the broader economy.
President Irfaan Ali launched the construction of a $3.7 billion stadium and multipurpose facility at Palmyra, Region Six, with funds from ExxonMobil’s Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI). The stadium is expected to be completed by 2025 and will have a capacity of 10,000 people. Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, expressed his satisfaction to be part of the project and the company’s contribution to the overall development of Guyana.
ExxonMobil Guyana has consistently contributed to community initiatives focusing on STEM education, community building, women empowerment, and environmental protection. The company has spent more than GUY$ 140 billion with Guyanese suppliers since its first discovery in 2015.
Exxon and its partners have also allocated funds for corporate social responsibility, including the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), a $100 million capacity-building project. Capacity in Guyana to more than 1.3 million barrels per day, surpassing its original goal of 1.2 million bpd.
The relationship between Mr. A Routledge, the President of ExxonMobil, Guyana, and the citizens of Guyana is clear to see. Recently, Mr. Routledge even visited London to meet the Guyanese Diaspora and explain the role Exxon Mobil plays in increasing the standard of living of many Guyanese and the business opportunities in Guyana’s Oil and Gas sector. It is fair to say that Mr. Alistair Routledge has become like a roving ambassador promoting Guyana’s oil and gas sector to its citizens in Guyana and the Guyanese diasporas worldwide.
Vedan Choolun, London, UK