With President Irfaan Ali slated to address the May 4 opening of the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, says it is a clear sign of how far Guyana has advanced in the global oil and gas arena. He described the moment as a reflection of rising international regard for the country and its leadership.
Speaking on the Starting Point Podcast, Dr Singh framed the invitation for President Ali to deliver the keynote address at the conference as a marker of credibility rather than coincidence.
“These are not accidental occurrences. People listen to hear what you have to say. They examine whether you have something to say of value and it is on that basis they engage with you,” Dr Singh said.
The OTC, set for May 4–7 at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, is one of the offshore industry’s most prominent gatherings, convening global executives, engineers and policymakers to examine developments across oil, gas, marine technology and energy transition. This year’s conference is themed around advancing offshore innovation in a balanced and sustainable way.
While Guyana has maintained a presence at this forum in recent years, this is the first time a Guyanese Head of State will deliver the feature address at the event’s opening. President Ali is also leading the country’s largest delegation to the event.
Dr Singh said Guyana’s elevated profile at such a forum reflects its transformation from a new entrant in offshore oil production to a country now central to global energy discussions.
“The fact that Guyana has been elevated to the prominence that we have been elevated to in OTC 2026 speaks volumes about Guyana’s place in the oil and gas industry worldwide,” he said, adding that it also underscores “the extremely high regard” in which both the country and its President are held.
Guyana’s rise has been underpinned by rapid growth in oil output since first production in 2019, with current volumes exceeding 900,000 barrels per day. That expansion, driven by ExxonMobil and its partners offshore, has positioned the country as a significant source of crude for markets seeking stable and cost-competitive supply.
The country’s light, sweet crude has found favour particularly in North America and Europe, where refiners value its lower sulfur content. Demand from Europe has been further shaped by efforts to diversify energy sources following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aligning with Guyana’s production ramp-up.
Government policy plays a key role in shaping the conditions that have enabled the sector’s growth, including regulatory frameworks and ongoing engagement with investors.