LOOKING at pictures or video of the newly created mud geyser in Diamond, there was something reminiscent of old Western movies about oil finds in Texas. As this local natural gas find continues to push the above mud to the surface in spurts, one could almost see oil shooting forth in telltale black plumes! While it seems currently this is a sign of a natural gas pocket, rather than oil find, this certainly provides food for thought.

This is, first of all, not the only time something similar has happened in the area, as in Grove the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has had to capture a natural gas vent in a resident’s yard, providing that family with a continuous supply of the fuel. This repeat event surely must indicate that the pocket of natural gas below the neighbourhoods is significant and worth thorough exploration for some form of commercial use.

Two avenues immediately come to mind to that end: the first, cooking gas generation and the second, a natural gas power plant, as has been advocated by Minister Harmon and the administration more broadly. Exxon is at present reviewing the find for the nature and quality of the gas, though some reports indicate that the stream may not be substantial enough for cooking gas generation. One way or another, if these types of finds will continue a very thorough examination must take place.

If we do verify suspicions that there is a sizeable gas field, then it would be very convenient for the generation of electricity. Rather than having to bring natural gas all the way in from Exxon’s drill sites, this supply is right on the coast. Additionally, Minister Harmon has suggested the potential for an industrial park on the outskirts of any nature gas plant, providing access to cheap electricity for local businesses. Given Diamond’s sizeable population, there will be no shortage of labour for such an endeavour.

But we should spare a thought for those who currently live in Diamond and especially close to the site of the vent. They may need to move from the already potentially dangerous site if any significant construction will have to take place and some safe perimeter established (hopefully affecting as few people as possible). Even now, electricity has been cut to the immediate area and residents have been advised to avoid cooking or smoking, lest they ignite any fumes.

What we really do hope is ignited is, the first signs of a locally developed fossil fuel industry. This natural gas find makes the government initiative to start a national oil and gas company all the more urgent and Guyanese must remain vigilant about analogous opportunities onshore, wherever they may arise. Admittedly, there have not been onshore finds on any commercial scale, but as Guyanese expertise in these areas grows, one can only expect that any chance which presents itself will be made use of.

The natural gas find hearkens back to tales of minor fossil fuel discoveries as far flung as the Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast. It will be unsurprising, perhaps, if Guyana turns out to have substantial onshore reserves of fossil fuels, given the many offshore finds and our long history of a wide variety of natural resource wealth. Developing the expertise to fully make use of opportunities is of the greatest importance, so that Guyanese can best benefit from their rightful national inheritance. Perhaps the Diamond geyser will be the first of many, many commercial onshore finds in the slowly but steadily taking off oil economy.