I was outraged when I read the Department of Public Information (DPI) release that the “Gas-to-Energy project, when constructed and operationalised will significantly reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere, thereby improving Guyana’s status as a good environmental steward.” As a former Chemistry teacher of long standing I cannot remain silent in the…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 131 Today’s column features the financial statements of the Chinese-owned CNOOC which holds a 25% working interest in the Stabroek Block, as a “non-operating joint venture partner”. CNOOC, like its other two partners, is a branch of a company incorporated outside of Guyana…
Keeping information from the public only results in distrust and contracts for all of the country’s natural resources should be published, says Government’s Petroleum Advisor Jan Mangal. “The signing bonus and all revenues should be disclosed. There are no pros for non-disclosure, only cons,” Mangal told Stabroek News in response to questions posed on the…
There are important issues raised in Joel Bhagwandin’s [JB] letter in SN – March 26, 2023 that are very important for Guyana, as the new oil economy unfolds. Principles related to ownership rights and corporate funding determine future incomes earned from such ownership rights. Future tax payments are also related to the classification of corporations…
Janette Bulkan is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia This column reflects on the Joint Declaration of Argyle against the geopolitical backdrop in which Guyana and Venezuela are enmeshed. One can contrast the Guyana government’s declarations of sovereignty against the tangible exercise of power and influence before and after May 2015, when…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 161 Last year, my summary column discussing the 2023 audited financial reports of Stabroek Block contractors had the caption “Oil companies have earned five times more from oil than Guyana. Modest investment, gargantuan returns.” If anything has changed, the money deluge has continued…
Introduction Today’s column concludes discussion on the institutional aspects of Guyana’s preparations for its coming petroleum industry. The discussion focuses on the proposed regulatory commission, as expressed in the government’s Draft Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill (PCB), presently in circulation among stakeholders. Although the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is responsible for oversight of…
Canadian oil company Frontera’s recent payment of a US$33 million signing bonus for a 33% working interest in two blocks offshore Guyana without any confirmed commercial quantities of oil, should signal to government how much it lost when it renegotiated its Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil’s subsidiary in 2016 and got a mere US$18…
