National Hardware and NRG Holdings Developing Multi-Million Dollar Pipeline Port In Vreed-en-Hoop

A new logistics project to support Guyana’s oil and gas sector has entered the permitting pipeline as the country chalks up another discovery.

Information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that NRG Holdings and partners ZRN Investment, Hadi’s World and National Hardware plan to develop the US$200-600mn Vreed-en-Hoop port at West Bank Demerara.

The port envisions an offshore terminal, fabrication, umbilical, and spooling yards; warehousing; container management systems, and potential for storage of sub-sea equipment, pipe inspection and repairs; a helipad; and wharf, berths, and dry dock.

Phase one comprises deepening and widening the access channel to 100-125m wide and 7-10m deep, the offshore terminal, dry dock, and fabrication yard, among other infrastructure.

Phase two includes deepening the access channel to 10-12m, an area for logistics providers and a general cargo port.

“This proposed project will help the government of Guyana meet its strategic priorities to boost the economy and stimulate job growth along with helping the country expand key shipping, port, and shore base facilities to rapidly meet industry requirements,” according to NRG.

The developer argues that “the impact of inadequate facilities to accommodate the work in the O&G sector is a loss of local content within this emerging sector. Without this important supporting infrastructure, much of the business opportunities are carried to other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago.”

At the launch of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber’s training center in recent days, natural resources minister Vickram Bharrat said “we are in the stage of ensuring that we have a comprehensive local content policy with set targets, with timeframes and targets that are realistic because we know that we don’t have certain capacity in Guyana,” the Department of Public Information reported.