August 15 ,2020
Canadian Queen’s Counsel Alison Redford has been hired to review plans for ExxonMobil’s third proposed oil well, Payara.
A release today from the Ministry of Natural Resources said that Redford serves as a World Bank Advisor on Gas Sector Reform in Pakistan and also as an advisor in other jurisdictions, as they develop novel approaches to upstream regulation and community engagement. She has also worked on several bilateral and multilateral projects particularly in energy sector regulation and has worked in multiple countries on behalf of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the European Union.
The release said that Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat today met with the independent Canadian consultant along with the heads of relevant agencies including Dr. Mark Bynoe – Department of Energy, Dr. Vincent Adams – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Mr. Newell Dennison – Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
According to Bharrat, the new Government is conducting a holistic review of the Payara Development Project. The release said that the review will play a pivotal role in informing the decision making relating to the application for the permits by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary EEPGL.
He emphasized that the review process takes on a multi-agency approach which includes the GGMC, EPA and other technical officers of the Petroleum Division.
“The Minister anticipates that the review will directly address concerns raised previously which will not only benefit the oil companies but ensure economic empowerment for all Guyanese”, the release added.
The Natural Resources Minister also pointed out that the review is in keeping with the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability within the natural resources sector.
Bharrat expressed appreciation on behalf of the Government of Guyana to the Government of Canada who responded promptly to this collaborative effort.