Local oilfield services’ company launched

Three companies boasting 100 years of experience combined, on Wednesday officially launched Guyana’s Oilfield services company –Jaguar Oilfield Services Guyana Inc.

The company was established in 2017 by Mines Services Limited – a member of the Farfan and Mendes Group of Companies – along with operational partner, Process Components Limited (ProCom) out of Trinidad and Tobago and TOTALTEC – a local petroleum and maritime academy.

The company aims to be the leading provider of high-quality industrial equipment and services in the oil and gas sector in Guyana.

According to Andrew Mendes, Managing Director of the Farfan and Mendes Group of Companies, partnerships are important as the developing oil and gas industry is new to Guyana and its people.

“We must be realistic that in the beginning, it will require a particular focus by people experienced and already dealing with the sector, hence the joint venture,” he told those gathered at the company’s Providence public road office, East Bank Demerara.

He added that, “the reality is we could probably do it on our own but it would take much longer and quite simply, we find it easier and cheaper to listen and learn, rather than paying to learn.”

Mendes said the company invested in training its employees and also ensured that its facilities are of good standard to properly serve stakeholders.

Since its establishment, the company is managed by an expert who began his career in the oil and gas industry in 1978 and worked in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Jim Stephen.

Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin lauded the venture, noting that more persons need to form joint ventures to supply the developing industry.

“We are not a country that is yet experienced in this industry but we do have a private sector that is proactive and has been seeking to partner with other companies…who understand the industry better than we do,” Gaskin said.

He added that while there has been a lot of talk about local content recently, “you can’t get local content without building capacity.”

ProCom –the operational partner of the company- has been providing training for local staff at its facilities in Trinidad. Additionally, given its decades of experience in the industry, the company is already in receipt of several certifications which local companies are now seeking.

On the other hand, technical and commercial advisory partner, TOTALTEC provides international experience, networks and contacts and a source for trained labour at its Houston, East Bank Demerara Academy.

Chair of TOTALTEC, Lars Mangal in his address on Wednesday noted that “the processes and systems are in place within the facility to be able to control and deliver a quality product and quality service.”

The company is owned 40% by Farfan and Mendes, 40% by TOTALTEC and 20% by ProCom, according to reports.

It is located at Farfan and Mendes’ Providence, EBD compound.