Opinion
EPA sued for breaking law to grant permits to oil company
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been sued over a decision to issue environmental permits to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd authorizing offshore drilling for 24 years. The lawsuit filed in the Constitutional and Administrative Division of the High Court was brought by Dr. Troy Thomas, a scientist and the former President of Transparency…
A CHECKLIST FOR TESTING AND PREVENTING THE OIL“DUTCH DISEASE”
Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo gave a very comprehensive and detailed presentationof the Government’s positions on the new oil and gas industry in an interview with Kaieteur Radio’s Kiana Wilburg. In contrast to the lack of transparency on the oil and gas sectorbythe previous APNU/AFC administration, Jagdeo clearly stated that the Governmentis determined to provide sound and…
“Who Checked the Checker”
It’s commendable that the Guyanese government has taken action to review the development plan from the Payara Project in face of none too subtle pressure from Exxon to essentially rubber stamp the approval. The new government has shown a willingness to not follow the status quo, instead it has taken a notable stance to show…
EPA’s frustration is sure sign that Exxon deal must be renegotiated
I find yesterday’s Stabroek News report that the Guyana EPA will be taking Exxon to court for the failure to pay fines of US$2,600 for 3 small oil spills to be very troubling. People of Guyana, do you believe this nonsense? Things like these are why the Oil and Gas Network (OGGN – www.oggn.org) has…
Exxon oil contract is an example of the big fish eat the little fish
No one would doubt the contract between Exxon and Guyana is one of domination and subordination, of strong versus weak, of big fish eating little fish. There is only one choice for the Guyana Government and that is to renegotiate the contract before signing the new Payara approval. Unless we do this, we can kiss…
Seek diaspora expertise in oil industry
Much has been written in the Guyana media about the need for oil specialists and experts and there are critiques in KN that the person trained in the oil industry is not appointed as the line minister (Energy). Be that as it may, and not to detract from one’s formal training in an industry, one…
WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE MANDATE TO RENEGOTIATE THE OIL CONTRACT?
Let’s make a few things clear: Payara Approval has been put on hold to allow for a review of field operations, how to conduct drilling, avoid a well-blowout, etc. It is really an engineering review. Nothing to do with review of the Contract.The Guyanese people want a renegotiation of a few basic issues of the…
It will be the biggest political blunder if PPP fails to renegotiate oil contracts now
t will be the biggest political blunder if the new PPP government fails to renegotiate all oil contracts now including the ExxonMobil contract. Such a blunder may well lead to its losing office in 2025. The masses are not asses. President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo must speak clearly now to the nation and tell…
Would Review lead to renegotiation of the contract?
Guyanese are asking whether a review would lead to renegotiation of the contract and increased revenue sharing. “Show us the dough”, is what interest Guyanese.We applaud the PPP government for voluntarily seeking a review of the Payara project. Government is short on revenues. So it rightly sought a grant from a willing donor country, Canada,…
What is exactly being reviewed in Payara?
Thank you KN for your exposés on the oil sector. Reference is made to the Review of the Payara project (KN several dates). When I was asked for my opinion as someone who studied oil economics, I could not give a response other than to say I welcome “a review” as indeed every Guyanese and…