December 22 2018
ExxonMobil has paused seismic activities on the Stabroek Block after members of the Venezuelan military approached one of the vessels subcontracted by the oil giant to work in Guyana’s territory.
Efforts to reach Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge for confirmation have so far failed but sources at the Ministry have confirmed that an incident occurred, they would not state whether it involved Venezuela. The Ministry has promised to release a statement on the incident within the next few hours.
Meanwhile a press release from the company stated that activities on the Stabroek Block have been paused until they can be safely continued.
“Our main concern is for the safety of crew members and others in the area,” the company indicated adding that they are currently in contact with the relevant authorities.
The ExxonMobil statement issued follows:
3-D seismic data acquisition of the western portion of the Stabroek Block began this month. At this time, seismic operations on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana have been paused until they can be safely continued. Our main concern is for the safety of crew members and others in the area. ExxonMobil is in communication with the necessary authorities.
PGS is contracted to conduct the 3-D seismic data acquisition.
PGS confirmed the action of the Venezuelan Navy in a statement to Stabroek News.
It said: “Our vessel, the Ramform Tethys, was approached by Venezuelan navy earlier today when it was working on a project offshore Guyana. We are operating in Guyana under the authority of the Guyanese government and have all necessary permits to perform this seismic survey. The vessel stopped seismic acquisition and headed East. We now know that the Venezuelan navy has withdrawn from the area where the Ramform Tethys is”.
