Competitive bidding is the best approach for the award of oil exploration leases

A recent article in the Guyana Times ‘Minister’s relatives, friends now applying for oil licences, 2017-09-14’ makes reference to Dr Jan Mangal, Petroleum Adviser in the Ministry of the Presidency.  The article raises concerns with a type of process used in the award of petroleum leases or blocks, that is the “one-on-one negotiation” or “open…

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Journalists need to become more adept at investigating conflicts of interest in the oil sector

My term as Petroleum Adviser to President Granger began in March 2017, whereas the re-negotiation of the contract for the Stabroek Block was performed about a year earlier (early part of 2016).  I have not negotiated contracts between any oil company and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. President Granger has been clear that his priority…

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Government should ensure Exxon contract has provisions to allow Guyanese to develop expertise in the oil business

Many new graduates searching for a job lack the experience they need to get their dream job. They have spent years studying and have good grades. However, without the relevant industry experience, many employers are not willing to take the risk on them, especially for highly technical positions. Usually it takes 10 years to develop…

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More global lessons on local content policies for Guyana’s coming oil and gas sector

Introduction Today’s column continues the effort to provide for readers’ guidance a response to the burning question: What are the lessons to be learned from oil and gas producing countries that have implemented policies/regimes for local content requirements (LCRs)? As previously indicated, such countries are many, and, unsurprisingly, their experiences are varied. Beyond question, LCRs…

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