Appeal Court agrees…

THE Court of Appeal on Wednesday ruled that Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd (Hess) and China National Offshore Oil Cooperation Guyana (CNOOC) did not need separate licences to engage in oil development and production, given the licence obtained by their partner, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (Esso).

According to a release from the Attorney- General Chambers, the Court of Appeal effectively dismissed Transparency Advocate, Ramon Gaskin’s appeal, and upheld the February 2020 decision of Chief Justice Roxane George.

“The effect of the CoA’s decision is that the companies’ activities, including oil production, may continue undisturbed.

“Mr. Gaskin had argued before the Learned Chief Justice, and again on appeal, that Hess and CNOOC could not engage in oil exploration or production in Guyana because they had not obtained the requisite permissions. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, however, dismissed these arguments, finding instead that since Esso Guyana, Hess and CNOOC were involved in a joint venture, they were covered under the permissions obtained by Esso,” the statement from the AG’s Chambers said.

The parties in the case have been ordered to bear their own costs.

The Minister of Natural Resources was represented by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Mohabir Nandlall, SC, MP; Edward Luckhoo, SC; Solicitor-General Nigel Hawke; Deputy Solicitor-General Deborah Kumar; and Eleanor Luckhoo.

Attorney-at-Law Andrew Pollard, SC, represented Esso Guyana and CNOOC, while Hess was represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

Gaskin was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Seenath Jairam, SC; Melinda Janki, and Ron Motilall.