GDF to acquire well drilling techniques through South Rupununi wells project
DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 21, 2018
Officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will benefit from knowledge in the drilling of wells when a South Rupununi project comes on stream later this year.
As part of a Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation signed between the Presidents of Guyana and Brazil, to develop infrastructure projects, the Brazilian Army Engineering and Construction Battalion (BEC) is expected to drill eight wells in eight South Rupununi villages to provide water security during the dry seasons.
Well-drilling operations will be jointly executed by the Engineering Corps of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and BEC commencing from September 27, 2018, at Shea, Maruranau, Awarewaunau, Churikadarnau, Aishalton, Karaudarnau and Baishaidrum.
Commander, Engineer Corps, GDF, Colonel Gary Beaton, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the GDF would provide a team to understudy the Brazilian army during the execution of the project.
“As part of a practical examination, GDF will then be required to drill two of the eight wells with supervision from BEC. At the end of the project we will have the capacity to drill wells as part of our operation,” Colonel Beaton explained.
GDF has also been tasked with the rehabilitation of the road which leads from Karaudarnau to Baishaidrum. The works must be completed by the end of October for the arrival of the BEC for their inspection before they drill the wells.
Following an inspection of the 70-kilometre trail, Colonel Beaton said only 20 per cent of the trail can be currently traversed by four-wheel vehicles.
“We have a lot of work to do to improve the trail so that it can be travelled by well drilling machines which can weight up to or more than 50 tons. Given the timeframe, we can assist and accomplish 50 per cent of that work so it will be best to have a contractor do the remaining 50 per cent.”
Ranetta La Fleur
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan