THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) have dismissed media reports alleging that the natural gas pipeline supplying the 300-megawatt Gas-to-Energy facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), has ruptured.
The clarification follows the circulation of a report by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who is under United States sanctions and faces criminal charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
The EPA and MARAD maintained that the pipeline is inactive and that their investigation found only “a slight anomaly,” which has been thoroughly examined
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the two agencies said the claims are without factual basis, explaining that the pipeline is not currently in operation.
“The pipeline in question is not currently active, and no gas is flowing through it,” the agencies stated.
“As there is no gas passing through the line, there can be no leak or damage of the nature suggested in these reports.”
The EPA and MARAD explained that ExxonMobil Guyana has been conducting a scheduled inspection of the subsea pipeline since May 2026, an exercise expected to continue for approximately three months.
According to the statement, the inspection programme involves five vessels operating along the West Coast of Demerara and had been announced in advance through a public notice issued by MARAD. Mariners and members of the public were advised about the activity before it commenced.
The agencies also confirmed that they had received a report relating to the pipeline and conducted a joint investigation.
“Following the joint assessment, the matter was determined to be a slight anomaly, which was thoroughly investigated by both agencies,” the statement said.
They added that, as a precautionary measure, additional inspections are being carried out to verify the continued integrity of the pipeline in keeping with standard safety protocols.
The EPA and MARAD reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and to protecting public and environmental safety throughout the implementation of the Gas-to-Energy Project.
The agencies also urged the public to rely on official sources for information before accepting reports that could unnecessarily alarm residents of West Bank Demerara.
“Both agencies will continue to provide accurate, timely updates to the public and urge that facts be verified through official channels before conclusions are drawn that could cause unnecessary alarm among residents of West Bank Demerara,” the statement added.
