Liftek blog post
Guyana has grown into a global energy player. A series of major oil discoveries off its coast has driven the country's economy to some of the world's fastest growth rates. As one industry report notes, Guyana went from “discovery to production in just five years,” and today it is a major global energy player with one of the world's fastest‐growing economies. In fact, the IMF reports that the oil production is ramping up fast and is supporting GDP growth, averaging 47% during 2022–2024. Recent data shows output exceeding 600,000 barrels per day in early 2025. This offshore boom means that new infrastructure, from floating production units and subsea pipelines to onshore processing plants, is a necessity.
Building these offshore facilities demands massive construction and lifting operations. ExxonMobil's sixth Guyana project, named Whiptail, is an example of this. The project needs dozens of new wells and is expected to add 250,000 barrels per day capacity by 2027 with a $12.7 billion investment. Recently, Saipem, an Italian company, completed a new offshore construction yard in Georgetown with the largest heavy lift crane in Guyana as part of it. The facility will focus on manufacturing jumpers and other structures that are required locally. In short, Guyana's energy infrastructure projects involve frequent use of high-capacity cranes, gantries, and other rigging gear to handle huge loads.
With so much at stake, every lifting system must be thoroughly tested before being put into service. Offshore environments are harsh, and cranes, davits, and lifting frames must bear enormous weights under different conditions.
Industry practice is to proof-test each crane or lifting arrangement by applying a load equal to its rated capacity. This process verifies the structural integrity and calibration of equipment.
Proper load tests prevent equipment failures and protect both personnel and expensive assets. In many jurisdictions, such proof-loading is mandatory when cranes or gear are installed or serviced.
Traditionally, steel blocks or weights were used for these proof loads, but handling hundreds of tons of solid metal can be impractical. That is why water weight bags have become popular for load testing. In a water bag load test, large, heavy-duty fabric balloons are filled with water to reach the required test weight. In order to provide a stable test mass without the inconvenience of solid weights, crane load test water bags, also referred to as crane test water bags, can be used. This water weights load testing method allows operators to bring empty bags to the site and fill them on location, then drain and move them easily afterward.
In practice, a rigging team might fill multiple water bags on a barge, use them as the dead load on a crane hook, and verify that the crane holds steady. Such tests are safe, convenient, and cost-effective. Operators avoid the hazards of lifting heavy steel blocks, and they can achieve any required test weight by combining bags. By simulating the real load with water, engineers confirm the equipment's ability to perform.
None of this testing gear manufactures itself, and specialized rigging suppliers provide it. Guyana's projects frequently depend on international vendors for testing services and licensed lifting equipment. Leading companies supply slings, shackles, load cells, and complete water bag testing kits to offshore projects worldwide. These firms, including Liftek, prioritize safety and compliance, ensuring that only premium, certified lifting and rigging products meeting international standards are used.
Suppliers like Liftek not only rent and sell water bag load test systems and other rigging gear, but also provide on-site testing, calibration, and certification. This service, ranging from supplying crane load test water bags to conducting the proof test, adds value for energy contractors. It means the offshore project can tap into a reliable, internationally accredited resource for all lifting equipment and testing needs.
As Guyana continues to expand its offshore oil and gas infrastructure, the demand for trustworthy load testing will only grow. Water bag load testing has proven to be an efficient solution for validating heavy lifts in challenging environments. By partnering with experienced rigging equipment suppliers, operators in Guyana can ensure their cranes and lifting systems meet the highest safety standards. In the end, reliable load testing, supported by global suppliers, is set to be a key part of securing Guyana's booming energy future.
Liftek Technical Services LLC
P.O. Box: 8751, Musaffah Industrial Area, M-44,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Liftek Technical Safety LLC
Office No 803, Suntech Tower, Silicon Oasis,
Dubai, UAE
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