GNBS to begin crude oil testing this month

Guyana now has the capacity to test crude oil being produced offshore with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) fully taking over the task in January.

The GNBS already plays a key role in Guyana’s oil and gas sector for both onshore and offshore activities, having responsibility for the monitoring of oil measurements on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

And now, with the crude testing capacity added, Corporate Communications Officer, Lloyd David told the News Room recently that the Bureau is “getting its house in order” to effectively handle the increasing needs of the sector.

Crude oil testing is said to be a critical element to prevent problems of yield, quality and production. And GNBS would now be able to determine aspects such as the density and viscosity, basic sediments and water, salt content, hydrogen sulphur content, and water content in the crude oil being extracted.

However, it should be noted that bureau will only be testing for two of the five parameters outlined as it awaits the acquisition of more equipment.

The GNBS has been building capacity since 2020 to monitor Guyana’s petroleum sector, even establishing an oil and gas department to streamline monitoring in 2021. And the bureau’s monitoring activities are done in accordance with the globally recognised American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards.

According to David, four inspectors from the bureau also work on a rotational basis offshore on the Liza Destiny FPSO to monitor oil measurements but in anticipating of the arrival of the Liza Unity FPSO, that capacity has been doubled.

“Now, we have 10 inspectors working to service both FPSOs,” he explained.

“Investments were made to train and build the competence of both old and new oil and gas inspectors for them to effectively and efficiently serve the sector.”

Those inspectors, David said, were exposed to both practical and theoretical aspects of measurement and safety standards.

The training included the verification of measurement points, equipment type, sample points and valve sealing process among other critical areas.

And further, the Corporate Communications Officer stressed the importance of “accuracy” in the work being carried out as it is used to determine the quantity and financial value of product transactions.