HGP Nightly News – The Dominican Republic is looking more closely at Guyana’s energy sector, with discussions now underway around possible investment interest in the Berbice Block as both countries move to strengthen cooperation in oil, gas, agriculture, and regional development.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the President on Thursday, the Government of the Dominican Republic, through Refinería Dominicana de Petróleo S.A., is engaged in talks aimed at expanding collaboration with Guyana in the oil and gas sector.
One of the areas under consideration is investment interest connected to the Berbice Block, which was previously held by On Energy.
The discussions are being pursued under the framework of a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding signed between Guyana and the Dominican Republic. That agreement provides for cooperation in several sectors, including energy, oil refining, agriculture, tourism, and petrochemicals.
The Office of the President said the partnership has been supported by growing private-sector collaboration in both countries, with several initiatives moving forward across different areas.
The statement noted that the talks are not limited to the Berbice Block, but also include wider discussions on regional energy security and future areas of cooperation.
According to the government, the engagements align with Guyana’s long-term vision of strengthening national and regional energy security, while positioning the country as a major energy partner within the Caribbean.
The two governments have also welcomed growing links between private-sector companies, including efforts to form joint ventures and consortiums in agriculture, energy, and petrochemicals.
The renewed interest in Berbice comes as the government continues to promote Regions Five and Six as major economic hubs. In 2025, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the coastal regions of Mahaica-Berbice and East Berbice-Corentyne were being positioned to support Guyana’s rise as a gateway for continental trade and investment.
Several major projects are central to that plan, including the proposed deep-water port, the new high-span Berbice River Bridge, and the Corentyne River Bridge, which is expected to link Guyana and Suriname.
Under the government’s 2025 PPP/C Manifesto, Berbice is being targeted as a future industrial capital, with its location and natural gas potential forming part of the foundation for that development.
Plans include attracting private investment in oil refining, alumina processing, fertiliser production, and petrochemical manufacturing.
The government also intends to construct a second natural gas pipeline in Berbice, similar to ExxonMobil’s pipeline from the Liza field to Wales, West Bank Demerara. The Wales pipeline supports the Gas-to-Energy project, which is designed to supply 125 million standard cubic feet of gas per day for domestic power generation and natural gas liquids extraction.
The proposed Berbice pipeline is expected to support a new industrial park and form part of what President Ali has described as the next phase of Guyana’s regional economic expansion.
For Guyana, the talks with the Dominican Republic signal another step in its effort to use its energy resources not only for national development, but also to deepen regional partnerships across the Caribbean.
