Cybele Energy says its entry into Guyana’s offshore sector will be driven by a distinct shallow-water strategy, which the company believes offers a more cost-effective and operationally manageable alternative to the ultra-deepwater focus of larger industry players.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, Beatrice Mensah-Tayui, said the company’s approach in Guyana will differ significantly from major operators such as ExxonMobil and Chevron.
According to Mensah-Tayui, while the biggest names in the sector have concentrated on deepwater and ultra-deepwater developments, Cybele Energy is targeting shallow-water acreage, positioning itself in a different segment of the offshore market.
“The more established players like your Exxon, Chevron, they’re deep offshore and ultra-deep offshore. We are coming into the shallow water, so that’s a completely different strategy, that’s a completely different play,” she said.
She noted that shallow-water operations can offer lower costs and fewer operational complexities when compared with deepwater projects, making the segment an attractive entry point for the company.
“It’s a lot more cost-effective, it’s actually a lot easier to operate than your deep water or ultra-deep water where you have a majority of the discoveries,” Mensah-Tayui explained.
As part of its market entry strategy, Cybele Energy plans to prioritise seismic acquisition, assemble its technical and operational teams, and move quickly to secure an early advantage in drilling.
“Our strategy will be to make sure that we acquire seismic, we put in our technical and operations team in place, and make sure that we have an early advantage in drilling,” she said.
Beyond the operational side, Mensah-Tayui framed Cybele Energy’s presence in Guyana as part of a broader opportunity to strengthen Africa-Caribbean economic cooperation.
She said the company’s move could help deepen south-to-south partnerships not only in oil and gas, but also in other areas such as trade and agribusiness.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us. I think it’s long overdue, and I think it’s a responsibility that we owe to one another,” she said.
Mensah-Tayui added that the partnership between Guyana and African energy stakeholders should be seen as just the beginning of broader collaboration.
“It’s only the beginning of, I believe, many great things to happen and not just in energy but in so many other sectors, in trade, in agribusiness, and the list goes on and on,” she said.
Cybele is the first African-led operator in Guyana and the first woman-led Exploration and Production company to secure a Block outside of Africa.
