EXXON Mobil yesterday brought Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud up to speed on activities it will be undertaking here over the next few weeks.During the course of a meeting with Exxon Mobil Vice-President, Mr. Jeff Simon, and ESSO Country Manager, Mr. Chuck Calavan, Minister Persaud was briefed on how the company’s oil rig, ‘Deep Water Champion’, will be deployed, among other matters of importance.  According to a release from the Minister’s office, the rig departed Louisiana, in the USA, yesterday for the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, where it is expected to commence drilling in mid-March.

In order to speed up the process, Minister Persaud was quoted as saying that Cabinet has already approved a request from ESSO to conduct geological and geophysical surveys within offshore Guyana, for which a permit has been granted to CGG Service (UK) Limited to undertake.
He also made reference to the Oil and Gas Policy which will give way to a modern oil and gas development framework. This is being done with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and other partners.
Additionally, in the Demerara Block, CGX has concluded 3D seismic surveys, the data of which continues to be processed, and a timeframe for delivery is to be scheduled. In the Berbice Block, ON Energy Inc. has completed an airborne geophysical survey, the data of which is being processed, Minister Persaud reported.