On Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 the Esso Guyana Media Relations Advisor, Kwesi Isles, stated that the increase of the Liza 1 and Liza 2 projects’ combined output to 400,000 barrels per day was safe. This appears to be the second time in less than a year that an Esso Guyana representative has issued highly questionable…
Introduction Based on the medium and long-term outlook of the world’s energy market, today’s column introduces two further policy lessons to guide Guyana’s planning for future oil and gas production and export. These are 1) the anticipated fuels mix over the long-term (to 2040); and 2) the probable global market impact of a stricter regimen…
In response to his letter published in the Stabroek News on 1 November 2021, I invite Jonathan Yearwood to listen to what I said at the Hearing on Extractive Industries, Climate Justice and Human Rights in the Caribbean convened by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on 26 October 2021. In the recording he…
Hopefully, all of Guyana have recovered from the shock of the bombshell pre-election revelation that the Government has retreated from their rabidly fought 5-year battle against unlimited liability protection to cover an oil spill. During their respective media programmes of last week, both Vice President Jagdeo and Attorney General (AG) Nandlall, announced tabling of the…
I would like to suggest that the first pot of NRF money be dedicated towards a massive infrastructure plan, similar to what President Biden did when he got in. Let’s fix all the roads and bridges! You can call it the “Highways to Happiness” Plan if you want. This can be the “tipping point” for…
As per the 2016 Stabroek Block contract, for the oil production lifecycle, from the preparation for oil production to when the oil is finally sold, the oil companies pay no taxes (see Article 15.1). The applicable income tax laws assess the Contractor’s tax due on taxable income (Article 15.3) and the Minister agrees to pay…
In my opinion, this contract should be considered null and void for the following interim reasons:1) This contract was not made in good faith, good intention, is biased and is not consistent with minimum international contracting requirements, practice, guidelines, procedures and laws.2) This contract is a production sharing contract/royalty (PSA), where Guyana is technically a…
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Part 102 – 24 February 2023. Introduction President Irfaan Ali was visibly upset by the disclosure in the Stabroek News of Guyana’s suspension from the Norway-based Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). The body was formed in London in June 2003 when representatives from governments,…
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…
Two main roads EBD and ECD. Villages formed alongside these roads. The location of this Waste Treatment Plant is at Coverden – a village alongside EBD. Couldn’t this plant have been sited a few miles inland, away from one of these villages? Penelope Howell wrote this: “While standing in front of PWSI, I felt a…
