The Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) from suitable consultancy firms to conduct a review of the Hammerhead Field Development Plan which is being prepared by an ExxonMobil-led consortium for its seventh oil project in the Stabroek Block. The project’s production phase is slated to commence by 2029 and will utilize a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, specially designed to handle the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons efficiently. The FPSO vessel will have a capacity ranging between 120,000 to 180,000 barrels per day, with storage capabilities of approximately 1.4 to 2 million barrels.
In the notice seen by Guyana Standard, government said it will handle all costs for the consultancy from a US$20 million World Bank grant which aims to enhance Guyana’s capacity to oversee and manage oil and gas developments.
Notably, the Ministry is seeking a consulting firm to provide advisory services, technical support, training, and capacity-building to the Government of Guyana. As part of the consultancy, the selected firm will be responsible for a detailed assessment of the Hammerhead Field’s development strategy to ensure it adheres to industry best practices and standards. This includes a comprehensive evaluation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) linked to the Hammerhead FDP to address potential environmental and social effects adequately. The consultancy will also establish mechanisms for managing and monitoring the project’s environmental and social guidelines to ensure that they are consistently followed.
The ministry also underscored the need for a consulting firm with international recognition and substantial experience in similar deepwater oil and gas developments. Interested firms must demonstrate expertise in providing professional evaluations and opinions, such as Competent Person’s Reports, and showcase a deep understanding of petroleum sector frameworks related to field development. Prior experience in analogous geological and operational environments and a track record of considering climate change impacts in oil and gas projects are crucial requirements for this assignment.
The selection of the consulting firm will follow the “Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS)” method, adhering to the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, as updated in September 2023. The process ensures that the firm selected complies with the World Bank’s policies on conflict of interest, ensuring transparency and integrity in the consultancy’s execution.
This assignment is set to commence in November 2024 and will run for a period of 20 weeks, during which the selected firm will be expected to maintain a physical presence in Guyana for an agreed-upon duration.
The ministry has set a submission deadline of October 22, 2024, for expressions of interest. Interested consulting firms can submit their applications in person, via mail, fax, or email to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. J. McKenzie.
