Guyanese President Calls for Greater Investment in Carbon Capture Technologies

Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged oil producers to increase investment in carbon capture technologies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and innovation while reducing the environmental impact of oil and gas production. He delivered this message during a speech at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston, Texas, following his participation in the opening general session at the Offshore Technology Conference 2026.

Balancing Hydrocarbon Development with Sustainability

Ali emphasized that Guyana is positioning itself as a global model for balancing hydrocarbon development with environmental sustainability. He called for greater investment in carbon capture, low-carbon technologies, and market-based environmental services. He noted that global energy discussions have predominantly focused on subsidies, incentives, and restrictions related to renewable energy and fossil fuels, while insufficient attention has been directed toward advancing technologies that mitigate the environmental footprint of oil production.

Critique of Current Energy Debates

Ali criticized the prevailing debate, stating, "For too long, the argument has been around whether more money should be in renewables, what level of subsidies should be in renewables, what level of incentives should be there, how we should disincentivise oil and gas development." He stressed that not enough time has been spent understanding how technology and research and development can continue to help produce a barrel of oil with progressively less environmental impact.

Guyana’s Model and Long-Term Advantages

Ali highlighted that Guyana is demonstrating that countries can pursue economic growth through oil and gas development while simultaneously preserving forests and biodiversity. He argued that as carbon pricing and other environmental measures expand globally, Guyana’s comparatively low-carbon oil production will provide a long-term advantage for investors and the energy sector.