…says latest act violates the sovereign rights of Guyana under international law

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) views with grave concern the reported interception by the Venezuelan navy on Saturday of a seismic research vessel flagged by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“Such acts violate the sovereign rights of Guyana under international law, its entitlement to a territorial sea, Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, and pose a threat to Guyana’s economic development and national security,” Caricom said in a statement Monday evening.

“The Caribbean Community reiterates its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, including its right to peacefully explore and exploit its onshore and offshore resources,” the statement added.

On Sunday the U.S. Government called on Venezuela to respect international law and the sovereignty of its neighbours in the wake of the interception of research vessel the Ramform Tethys by the Venezuelan navy. In a tweet on Sunday, Deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State Robert Palladino said the U.S Government is closely monitoring the situation. “We are monitoring reports that the Venezuelan Navy may have interfered with vessels operating on behalf of ExxonMobil. We underscore that Guyana has the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone,” Palladino said.

According to official reports, at around 10:30hrs on Saturday, the vessel, flagged by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, was conducting seismic surveys on behalf of ExxonMobil in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, when it was intercepted by Venezuela’s Navy. At the time, a total of 70 crew members were on board, including the captain.

Guyana’s foreign affairs minister has dubbed the move illegal, aggressive and hostile, explaining that Venezuela’s action violates Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and demonstrates a real threat to the country’s economic development.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be bringing this latest act of illegality and blatant disrespect for Guyana’s sovereignty by Venezuela to the attention of the United Nations. It is also in the process of informing the several governments of the 70 crew members of the threat to their safety. The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will also receive formal communication from the Government of Guyana on this matter,” Minister Greenidge said in a televised statement.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the letter to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has already been dispatched, and the Guyana Government is awaiting a response.

This newspaper was also reliably informed that ExxonMobil is awaiting a response from the Venezuelan Government before it allows the seismic survey to continue. The survey was halted Saturday following the incident and the vessel left the area, Norwegian company, Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) told the Chronicle. The Venezuelan naval ship has reportedly vacated the area as well.

The Chronicle understands that the foreign affairs minister met with several members of the diplomatic community here, including the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Terry Steers-Gonzalez; Deputy British High Commissioner to Guyana, Ray Davidson; and diplomats from the Russian Embassy to brief them on the situation.

FULL SUPPORT
Greenidge has also been in communication with Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo who has offered his full support to the Government of Guyana in treating with this matter.
The crew members hail from 18 countries with the majority from the Philippines. The Guyana Government is in the process of writing the respective Governments of the foreign nationals as well as the United Nations.

In a statement on Saturday, the American oil giant said 3-D seismic data acquisition of the western portion of the Stabroek Block began earlier this month.
PGS provides images and 3D data about the subsurface beneath the ocean floor. This assists oil companies in undertaking oil finds.

Earlier this month, the American oil giant announced that it had made a 10th oil discovery offshore Guyana. Exxon said the resource estimate, up from the previous estimate of more than four billion oil-equivalent barrels, is a result of further evaluation of previous discoveries and includes a new discovery at the Pluma-1 well.

“The discovery of a resource base of more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels in less than four years is a testament of our technical expertise and rigorous evaluation and pursuit of high-potential, high-risk opportunities in this frontier area,” said Neil Chapman, ExxonMobil senior vice-president.

“We will continue to apply what we’ve learned to identify additional exploration prospects and potential future discoveries that will deliver significant value to the Guyanese people, our partners and shareholders,” he said.

The Pluma-1 well encountered approximately 121 feet (37 metres) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone reservoir. Pluma-1 reached a depth of 16,447 feet (5,013 metres) in 3,340 feet (1,018 metres) of water. The Noble Tom Madden drillship began drilling on November 1. The well is located approximately 17 miles (27 kilometres) south of the Turbot-1 well. The Noble Tom Madden will next drill the Tilapia-1 prospect located 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of the Longtail-1 well.

“Together with the government and people of Guyana, we are continuing to grow the value of the Stabroek Block for Guyana, our partners and ExxonMobil with successful exploration investments,” said Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.