ExxonMobil Guyana carried out a critical preventative maintenance operation on its Oil Spill Response Essential Kit at the GYSBI shore base on Tuesday. This exercise forms part of a quarterly initiative aimed at reinforcing the country’s readiness for any potential oil spill incidents.
The focus of this exercise was a thorough check of key emergency response equipment. The team meticulously inspected various components, including the containment booms, skimmer devices, and the stockpile of oil dispersants. The primary goal was to ensure that these vital tools were fully operational and ready for immediate deployment in the event of an oil spill.
Containment booms and skimmers are essential in managing oil spills. Booms act as temporary floating barriers that limit the spread of oil in water, while skimmers are mechanical devices designed to remove oil from the water’s surface.
Ryan Singh, ExxonMobil’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Advisor, provided insights to the Department of Public Information on the exercise after a tour of the company’s dispersant storage facilities at the GYSBI Shore-base & Annex. He highlighted the involvement of EnerMech, a local vendor, in these maintenance activities and noted the positive attention the project has been receiving.
Singh also touched upon the recent enhancements to their dispersant stockpile, a necessary step given the increasing number of projects in Guyana. Dispersants play a crucial role in oil spill response by breaking down oil into smaller droplets, facilitating easier dilution and reducing environmental damage.
The presence and approval of representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Ministry of Natural Resources also underscored the importance of these exercises in maintaining environmental safety standards.
