Remote-site reliability for Latin America

June 19, 2026

Olivier Laurac, COO Americas at Newrest, talks to The Energy Year about scaling integrated remote-site services for mining and oil and gas projects in Latin America and enhancing operational risk management with digital tools.

Newrest is a catering and food service provider.

• Mining and energy operators across the Americas are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that combine catering, housekeeping, laundry, waste management and workforce welfare under one operating model.
• Demand is rising for digital tools that provide real-time access to inventory and operational data, especially in remote environments where disruptions can quickly affect business continuity.
• In high-growth markets, operators need service partners that can develop local talent, strengthen supplier networks and support long-term project reliability while meeting high safety and compliance standards.

How is Newrest positioning itself to support large-scale mining and oil and gas projects in Latin America?
Latin America is a strategic growth region for Newrest, particularly in mining, oil and gas and other remote-site environments where operational reliability is critical. Our positioning is built on three pillars: scale, local expertise and our 360° by Newrest offering, a comprehensive service model that combines catering, facility management and support services under a single operational framework.
Today, Newrest operates across multiple countries in the Americas, allowing us to support clients consistently across borders while remaining agile and responsive to local realities. Through our 360° by Newrest approach, we provide a full range of life-support and facility management services designed to enhance workforce well-being, operational efficiency and business continuity in demanding environments.
Our growth in South America reflects this strategy. We continue to strengthen our presence in key markets such as Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Guyana, supporting some of the region’s largest industrial and energy projects. This multi-country platform enables us to mobilise expertise quickly, leverage regional synergies and accompany our clients throughout the lifecycle of their operations.
What truly differentiates Newrest is our ability to combine operational excellence with a strong culture of safety and quality. In remote and high-risk environments, these are not support functions; they are business-critical requirements. Through our I Care programme, standardised operating procedures and continuous training initiatives, we ensure consistent service delivery across every site we operate.

What trends are you seeing in demand for integrated remote-site solutions within mining and oil and gas across the Americas, and how is Newrest adapting its service offerings to meet these evolving needs?
Across the mining and energy sectors, clients are increasingly looking for integrated service models that combine operational excellence, cost efficiency and resilience. The market is clearly evolving from standalone catering contracts towards comprehensive solutions that also encompass housekeeping, laundry, waste management, soft facilities management and workforce welfare services.
Another major trend is the growing demand for transparency and performance visibility. Operators want real-time access to key service indicators, inventory data and compliance metrics, particularly in remote environments where operational disruptions can have significant consequences.
To address these evolving expectations, Newrest continues to expand its 360° by Newrest model, providing clients with a single partner capable of delivering multiple services under one operational framework. This approach simplifies contract management, improves efficiency and ensures consistent service standards across all locations.
At the same time, we continue investing in digital tools, process standardisation and workforce development to guarantee that growth never comes at the expense of safety, quality or service continuity.

How does Newrest tailor its services to address the challenges of operating in remote locations?
Remote and offshore operations present a unique combination of challenges. Logistics and supply-chain reliability, workforce recruitment and retention, strict regulatory requirements and the need to deliver consistent service quality across multicultural environments all require a highly structured operational approach.
In fast-growing markets, these challenges can be amplified by infrastructure limitations, long import lead times and the need to rapidly develop local capabilities. Success depends on strong planning, local knowledge and execution discipline.
Newrest addresses these challenges through a robust mobilisation and operating model supported by local infrastructure, procurement networks, logistics capabilities and dedicated HR programmes. In Guyana, for example, we have established a comprehensive platform in Georgetown that enables us to efficiently support both offshore and onshore operations.
Above all, safety and quality are embedded into every stage of our operations. Through our I Care programme, continuous training, auditing processes and performance monitoring, we ensure that operational excellence remains consistent regardless of location or complexity.

 

Are there particular project types, countries or client segments in Latin America that represent especially strong growth opportunities?
We see particularly strong opportunities in offshore oil and gas operations and large-scale mining projects.
In offshore environments, operators increasingly seek partners capable of delivering reliable services while meeting the highest safety and compliance standards. In mining, there is a growing demand for integrated service providers able to combine catering, accommodation, support services and facilities management within a single operating model.
Geographically, Guyana remains one of the most dynamic energy markets in the world and a flagship growth area for Newrest. At the same time, the Andean mining corridor, particularly Peru and Chile, continues to offer significant long-term opportunities due to the scale and duration of projects and the growing need for integrated on-site services.
As we expand, our focus remains on sustainable growth. We only enter or scale operations where we can deploy the operational standards, resources and expertise required to deliver the level of quality and safety our clients expect.

Newrest has positioned itself as a pioneer in remote site management in Guyana. Could you walk us through Newrest’s current scope of work across the four FPSO projects there?
Guyana is one of the most exciting energy markets globally, and Newrest is proud to play a key role in supporting its rapid development.
Today, we provide integrated life-support services across four FPSOs: Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and One Guyana. Our scope includes catering, housekeeping and laundry services, ensuring comfortable, efficient and safe living conditions for offshore personnel operating in demanding environments.
Beyond the FPSOs, Newrest also supports the wider offshore ecosystem through services delivered on drillships, including the Noble Sam Croft and Noble Tom Madden, as well as onshore catering operations supporting key energy facilities in Georgetown.
These projects illustrate three important strengths. First, our ability to deliver integrated multi-service solutions across both offshore and onshore environments.
Second, our commitment to local content development through recruitment, training, partnerships and long-term investment in local capabilities.
Third, our capacity to mobilise and scale operations safely. As projects expand, maintaining operational continuity while ensuring the highest safety standards is critical, and this is an area where Newrest has built a strong reputation.

Technology and innovation can drive efficiency and client satisfaction. How is Newrest leveraging digital tools or innovative service models in mining and energy?
Innovation at Newrest is focused on creating smarter, more efficient and more reliable operations. We have developed a connected digital ecosystem that links ERP systems, operational platforms and client reporting tools. This enables greater visibility across forecasting, procurement, inventory management and performance monitoring, helping clients make better-informed decisions while improving operational efficiency.
Digitalisation also supports a more proactive approach to risk management. Our systems help identify trends, anticipate challenges and strengthen preventive action, particularly in remote environments where operational continuity is essential.
Alongside technology, we continue to deploy innovative service models inspired by best practices from other demanding sectors where Newrest operates. Our objectives are always to enhance service quality, improve efficiency and create greater value for our clients while maintaining the highest operational standards.

Energy and mining companies are increasingly focused on sustainability and local content. How is Newrest integrating ESG considerations and engaging communities in Latin America?
For Newrest, ESG is not a separate agenda; it is integrated into the way we operate and develop our business. Across the Americas, we promote local employment, workforce development and responsible sourcing practices. In Guyana, our operations are supported by strong local content commitments, partnerships with local stakeholders and investment in training programmes that contribute to long-term skills development.
On the environmental side, we are implementing initiatives that generate measurable impact. They include projects for recycling, composting and the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel, demonstrating that sustainability can be embedded into daily operations, even in complex offshore supply chains.
Our objective is to ensure that economic growth, environmental responsibility and community development progress together, creating long-term value for clients, employees and local communities.

How is Newrest enhancing local procurement, workforce development and community engagement, and to what extent does strengthening local supply chains form part of your long-term strategy in the region?
Strengthening local supply chains is a strategic priority for Newrest because it enhances resilience, improves responsiveness and creates long-term value for the communities where we operate.
Whenever possible, we prioritise local sourcing and local recruitment, not only to support economic development but also to build more sustainable and agile operations. In markets such as Guyana, this approach has been supported by strong local workforce participation, supplier development initiatives and structured training programmes designed to build long-term capabilities.
Workforce development is equally important. We invest in training, employee engagement and career development because a skilled and committed workforce is essential to delivering consistent service quality in remote and demanding environments.
Ultimately, we manage local procurement and workforce development with the same rigour we apply to our planning, qualification, performance monitoring and continuous improvement. This approach enables us to create lasting partnerships and contribute meaningfully to local economic development.

Which countries will Newrest focus on in 2026, and what strategic priorities has the company set in Latin America?
Our ambition is to further strengthen Newrest’s position as a leading partner for remote-site services across the Americas. We see significant opportunities in Guyana’s expanding offshore sector, in the Andean mining corridor and across key industrial markets such as Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. These countries offer strong growth potential driven by continued investment in mining, energy and infrastructure.
Our priority is not simply geographic expansion. It is sustainable growth built on operational excellence, integrated service delivery, local content development, digital innovation and uncompromising safety standards.
By leveraging our regional platform and international expertise, we are well-positioned to support our clients as they develop some of the most important energy and mining projects in the Americas over the coming years.

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