THE Government of Guyana through the Minister of Governance with responsibility for the State’s patrimony and natural resources, Raphael Trotman, has extended its full support to oil giant, ExxonMobil as the company reaffirmed its commitment to continuing exploration works in Guyana, beginning early 2016.This commitment was communicated to the company by Minister Trotman at a meeting which was held with some of the company’s top executives, at the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Boardroom, on Wednesday.

ExxonMobil’s team was led by Erik Oswald, ExxonMobil Exploration Vice President and included Craig Kelly, Senior Director for the Americas, International Government; Chuck Calavan, Vice President, South and Latin America; Jeff Johnson, Exploration Commercial Manager; Alison Rana, Public and Government Affairs Advisor; Jeff Simons, Country Manager Esso, Guyana; and Carlton James, Public and Government Affairs Manager, Esso, Guyana.

According to the Vice President of Exploration, Mr Oswald, the company was especially happy with the discovery made in Guyana.

“As you know we have had a discovery of what we thought was a very successful well. This was a very low probability well so it is one of these things we love to see. It’s a very risky investment so we are very pleased about that,” he said.

To this end, Oswald said the company remains committed to its work in Guyana and is looking forward to the next investment, which should take shape as early as January 2016. “All that work is underway right now. When the technical work is done, the others will be done. And the idea is, if we have a lot of success, we will bring additional rigs,” Oswald said.
He explained that the rig, the ‘Deepwater Champion’ left Guyana in June upon completion of its contract with the Corporation.

Government’s role in ensuring the Company’s right to continue its exploration in the Stabroek Block was also discussed during the meeting.

Minister Raphael Trotman reminded the company’s representatives of President Granger’s assurance that the block will be protected. “I give you my assurance. The commitment to the project is 110 per cent. We have no intention of giving up on that partnership,” Minister Trotman told the team.

He also communicated the Government’s willingness to support and assist in any infrastructural needs, which may arise when the company expands its operations here.

Given the ongoing threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity, Minister Trotman also used the opportunity to update the company on the ongoing border controversy and the recent visit to Guyana of a team from the United Nations Headquarters.

“The UN had a team here in Guyana…We are doing our best to get it resolved. We are pushing for a comprehensive and resolute result. The dispute has not been helpful to this country. We are entitled…to develop our country’s natural resources,” he expressed.

The oil and gas exploration began in Guyana on 5 March, 2015, with drilling offshore in the Stabroek Block. Just two months later, on May 20, the company announced that its engagement in Guyana was proving successful, as its exploration drill ship, the Deepwater Champion, had found a deposit of a ‘significant’ amount of oil in the Block, about 120 nautical miles offshore Guyana.