GRA cannot accept any Exxon claim for recovery of pre-contract costs without solid legal authority

The Guyana Revenue Authority says it is examining the audit report for US$460M of ‘pre-contract costs.’ Irrespective of any audit by IHS Markit, or anybody else, the Guyanese people are not liable for any ‘pre-contract costs’ unless three conditions are met. One: Clear legal authority. Where was Raphael Trotman’s legal authority to agree to ‘pre-contract…

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The dark side of Guyana’s oil discovery: Venezuela’s territorial aggression

Introduction Under Section 31 of the Petroleum Act, official notification was given last month, by ExxonMobil and its partners (Nexen Energy and Hess Corporation), to the Government of Guyana confirming the find (discovery) of commercial quantities of oil and gas in the Stabroek Block. A few weeks later, in today’s column I conclude my commentary…

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