Taxes are fundamental to developing the Western world’s prestigious institutions and first-class infrastructure. In Canada, heart attack surgery is free. In the US, for a few dollars, you can hop on to a NYC bullet train that rockets you down the tracks to Boston. These services wouldn’t be affordable without the taxes paid by major…
Following several newspaper articles on the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA)’s probe into the award of oil blocks, Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc. and JHI Associates, two industry unknowns, have been publishing almost daily, advertisements to defend the exploration licence which they were handed by former President Donald Ramotar for the Canje Block. While they…
When Guyana’s oil contract was signed in 2016 world market prices per barrel averaged $65. All indications today are that future prices (next 5 -10 years) may average $110. The portion of higher average price ($110 minus $65 = $45) can be called the Russia-Ukraine war premium. Who gets to keep most of the $45…
The oil companies, Hess & Exxon, recently reported earnings in the 2Q2023 that were significantly below the profits they earned in 2Q last year. However, they were very optimistic about the future because of their big bet on Guyana. By 2027, they are projecting to be pumping 1.2 million barrels of oil per day. With…
The previous six columns asked the question whether Guyana could escape the natural resource curse. We have looked at the issue from various dimensions. In particular, we have observed that initial conditions prevailing in Guyana must be taken into account when making such a prediction. The present structure of the production economy and limited economic…
ExxonMobil’s Kimberly Brasington, Senior Director, Public & Government Affairs, recently made several comments to the media and at public/private gatherings in Guyana that give the impression to Guyanese of being condescending and pompous. In response to Ms. Brasington remarks to the Guyanese public; I have presented below a few questions for Ms. Brasington to answer….
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…
If I were in the GoG, I’d insist Exxon sign the PCG letter agreeing to Full Liability Coverage. Sign the letter – and go on with your Oil Drilling. Observe Safety Rules. End of story. All oil drilling is done on a Wing and a Prayer. Hope an accident never happens – but if it…
Former Petroleum Advisor to the Government, Dr. Jan Mangal, is not surprised by the glowing reports of Rystad Energy, a Norwegian research company, which predicts that Guyana will get massive returns from its oil deal with ExxonMobil. That’s because Dr. Mangal says that Rystad Energy is part of ExxonMobil’s lobbying machine. In his Facebook page,…
