GUYANA must forge ahead with its search for oil in the Stabroek Block, despite recent objections by neighbouring Venezuela claiming that Guyana was in violation of its sovereign territory.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Rashleigh Jackson is of the firm conviction that the exploration is being conducted in Guyana’s waters and must proceed; and that any military intervention on the part of Venezuela will not be tolerated by the United States of America, as it is a US company that is conducting exploration.

NOTES VERBALES
Word of the discovery of hydrocarbons by Exxon Mobil earlier this month (May 7) was dismissed as an election gimmick by some, but the US-based oil giant in search of crude in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has made “a significant oil discovery”.
The announcement of a discovery of the large deposit came subsequent to an objection raised by Venezuela that had led to an exchange of diplomatic Notes Verbales between the two nations’ top Foreign Affairs officials.
Jackson, in a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle last evening, affirmed that the nation’s oil search must be pursued, and that Venezuela was just being provocative and aggressive when it lodged its objections.
Jackson, who served as minister with responsibility for foreign affairs under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration, told the Guyana Chronicle that as it relates to the maritime border controversy between the two countries, it is time to begin to look at the available mechanisms under the United Nation’s Geneva Convention.
According to Jackson, while the United Nation’s Good Officer process would have served a purpose, it is perhaps time to bring an end to the talks under its auspices.

REKINDLED
The maritime border spat between Guyana and Venezuela was rekindled back in October 2013, when the Venezuelan Navy boarded the TeknikPerdana, an oil exploration vessel contracted by the Guyana Government and sailed it to Venezuela’s Margarita Islands. Caracas accused the crew of operating illegally in Venezuelan waters.
Guyana has since maintained that its delimitation parameters placed the vessel in its EEZ (Exclisive Economic Zone), a notion supported by Jackson.
This however did not stop the Venezuelan Government from objecting to the continued oil exploration moves by Guyana.
Back in February of this year, Venezuela had objected to the planned offshore exploration for oil in local waters by the US company, Exxon.
Guyana subsequently wrote its counterpart in Venezuela, urging that it desist from actions that could contravene international law and prevent development.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela desist from taking any actions that could only result in the stymieing of the development of Guyana and its people and that would be in contravention of international law,” a statement from the ministry at the time read.
The ministry added that it had also informed CARICOM, UNASUR, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth as well as the United Nations Secretary- General.
GENEVA CONVENTION
During the brief interview with this publication, the former foreign affairs minister observed that the Good Officer process had in the past been accommodated by both countries, but that in the current context, there needs to be a re-examination of the provisions available for the resolution of maritime border disputes.
He said the Administration now taking office must begin to re-think the UN Good Officer process, and look to see what are the other mechanisms available under the Geneva Convention.
ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd., exploring on the Stabroek Block, located approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, this week announced having made a significant find of more than 295 feet (90 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.
According to the oil giant, its well “was safely drilled to 17,825 feet (5,433 metres) in 5,719 feet (1,743 metres) of water.”
The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).
President David Granger, along with Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon and a team from the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday paid a visit to the oil rig, ‘Deepwater Champion’, and spoke glowingly of the venture and the oil company.
“We are one of the Guianas; and it is a rich part of the world, in terms of rainforest and minerals, so I am glad that we have opened the door; I am glad that you are a part of opening the door for us,” the President said, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) missive.

US PARTNERS
Only recently, the Guyana Government partnered with the United States Embassy in Georgetown, along with the Department of State and Department of the Interior to host a deep-water exploration and energy governance and capacity initiative workshop.
That event was held at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, and was aimed at providing an overview of issues for regulators to address in deep-water exploration, including regulatory responsibilities and functions, and monitoring operations to prevent unforeseen incidents and for regulatory compliance.
Among the participants that benefited from that intervention were representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Natural Resources Ministry.

By Gary Eleazar