OSRL Guyana Capping Stack has a new home at the Subsea Response facility at the Emergency Response Base, located at VEHSI in Guyana, strengthening regional preparedness and access to specialist spill response capability. The opening was marked by a regional OSRL forum, which brought together government, industry and emergency response stakeholders to discuss preparedness, response capability and collaboration across Guyana and the wider region.
As activity continues to grow across the Equatorial Margin, the new base strengthens OSRL’s regional presence and supports access to preparedness, training and response expertise for members and stakeholders in Guyana and the wider region.
Representatives from eight countries attended the event including participants from industry, government agencies and other organisations. In country representation included Guyanese agencies such as the Civil Defence Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and Maritime Administration Department made up the attendees list.
The forum and opening brought together stakeholders and industry specialists to discuss oil spill preparedness, OSRL’s Guyana capabilities, the Global Subsea Response Network (GSRN), and our collaborative approaches to strengthen response readiness, enabling our members to respond effectively to any spill, anywhere in the world. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the new EMGL Emergency Response Building and learn more about the resources and capabilities available from the facility.
The opening marks an important milestone for OSRL in Guyana, following the successful relocation of the Global Rapid Response System (GRRS) from GYSBI to VEHSI and associated subsea well intervention equipment to the facility.
One of the key assets contained at the facility is a capping stack, part of a global network of six OSRL’s capping stacks strategically positioned around the world. The strategic location of the equipment supports rapid deployment and enhances response readiness in the region, enabling rapid response to subsea well control incidents.
The new facility will play a key role in supporting the maintenance of response equipment, delivering training and exercises, and strengthening engagement with government agencies, operators and other stakeholders across the region. Its strategic location on the Equatorial Margin further enhances preparedness by enabling rapid access to critical response resources when needed.
Chief Executive, Vania De Stefani said: “Our collaboration with ExxonMobil (EMGL) in Guyana is an important step in strengthening preparedness and response capability across the region. Through close cooperation, we can better support training and exercises, maintain access to specialist response equipment, and work alongside industry and government stakeholders to enhance readiness where it is needed most."
Speaking at the forum, OSRL and ExxonMobil (EMGL) representatives highlighted the importance of collaboration, preparedness and shared response capability in supporting effective offshore spill response readiness. The event provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging challenges and reinforce partnerships across Guyana and the wider region, both in person and through a virtual online screening of the live event.
Together, the Subsea Response Facility at VEHSI and the regional forum reinforce OSRL’s role in supporting practical preparedness and shared response capability across Guyana and the wider region.
