Georgetown witnessed significant developments in regional energy cooperation during the fifth Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo held at the Marriott Hotel. President Irfan Ali of Guyana articulated a strategic vision for leveraging energy resources to drive national development, while simultaneously revealing potential collaborative ventures with neighboring Suriname in gas development.
Staatsolie CEO Annand Jagersar, attending the conference, confirmed in an exclusive interview that formal dialogue regarding bilateral partnerships is imminent. “Exxon has approached us to initiate discussions, and there’s concurrent interest from the Guyanese government,” Jagersar stated. He outlined multiple potential cooperation frameworks, including Suriname’s possible procurement of Guyanese gas, joint infrastructure development such as pipelines and transportation networks, and the consolidation of gas discoveries from both nations to achieve necessary project scale.
“Gas projects fundamentally require scale economics. By combining discoveries from both countries, we can establish stronger economic viability,” Jagersar emphasized, highlighting the strategic rationale behind the proposed collaboration.
The CEO revealed that scheduled discussions with Exxon are already set for this week, with parallel negotiations involving Guyanese government officials expected shortly. Jagersar identified the Berbice region as a geographically logical hub for cross-border cooperation, suggesting potential economic development activities on both sides of the river.
President Ali reinforced the critical connection between infrastructure and sustainable development during his address. “Large-scale development must begin with infrastructure foundations,” he asserted, noting that economic growth only becomes sustainable when supported by robust transportation networks, port facilities, and energy infrastructure. He specifically referenced Guyana’s gas-to-energy project, scheduled to become operational later this year.
Since his re-election in September 2025, President Ali has prioritized optimal utilization of Guyana’s gas reserves. Beyond the current project, authorities are evaluating a second gas-to-energy initiative in Berbice. The president emphasized that energy sector development should not only strengthen Guyana’s economy but also generate regional opportunities.
The conference served as a platform for industry experts, regional partners, and stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, local participation, and supply chain expansion. With increasing oil and gas activities in both Guyana and Suriname, strategic cooperation focusing on scale optimization, infrastructure development, and joint market approaches is receiving heightened attention.