Home » Guyana News Updates, June 23, 2022

Guyana News Updates, June 23, 2022

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Sod turned for Vreed-en-Hoop shore base: Stabroek NewsiNewsKaieteur NewsNews RoomGuyana ChronicleOilNOW       

Just about two months after it inked a pact with ExxonMobil to lease its planned US$300 million shore base facility to support its offshore oil operations, local consortium NRG Holdings Incorporated, on Tuesday, turned the sod to officially commence construction of the facility. The shore base, which is being undertaken by Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Incorporated (VEHSI), is a component of the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop project.

 

Work on gas-to-shore project already underway – Natural Resources Minister: Guyana Times

…contract will be awarded by year end

Work on the Gas-to-Shore project, which will see pipelines being built from offshore to Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is already underway, and according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, physical manifestations of that work will be apparent by next year. During the sod-turning ceremony for the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base facility on Wednesday, Bharrat explained that work on the project, inclusive of mapping the pipeline route, has already started.

 

Brazil’s Petrobras buys 1st crude shipment from GuyanaGuyana Times

…as state-owned Brazilian company looks to diversify suppliers

Guyana has registered two lifts of one million barrels of crude each from the Liza Phase One and the Liza Phase Two projects operated by ExxonMobil for the month of June, and Brazilian state-owned company Petrobras has already purchased one of these lifts of crude. According to a report from the Nasdaq, Petrobras last week bought what would be its first shipment of crude from Guyana. The one million barrels of crude, which were loaded from the Liza Destiny and will be discharged by this month end, will be refined in Brazil.

 

Guyana earned more profit oil than Exxon, partners last year- Vice PresidentGuyana Standard

In light of a recent financial review in some sections of the media which concluded that the Stabroek Block joint venture partners made more profit oil last year versus Guyana, Vice President and former Finance Minister, Dr. BharratJagdeo dismissed such claims as being misleading.“I have seen in the newspaper a lot about how Exxon is drawing down hundreds of US billions more and we are getting a pittance. But people making such statements are mistaken,” expressed the former Chairman of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

 

Gov’t unhappy with slow progression of CGX’s Berbice Deep Water Port: OilNOW  

The massive deep-water port being constructed by CGX Energy in Guyana means major development for the county of Berbice. But recently, the pace at which the project is being developed has become a concern for the government. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat told OilNOW on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday that the company has received a warning from the government. “We would have indicated to the company that we are not pleased at all with the pace at which the work is moving ahead,” Mr. Bharrat indicated.

 

Pan-Caribbean group offers solution to financing gap between Guyanese, foreign companies: OilNOW  

It is no secret that Guyanese companies are largely unaccustomed to making the scale of investments needed to provide services to the still burgeoning oil and gas sector. After all, the development cost for just one of ExxonMobil’s offshore projects dwarfs Guyana’s annual budgets – in some cases, three to four times over. Both government and private sector leaders have been looking in all directions for solutions. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has encouraged local companies to form consortia. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said government wants banks to accept contracts as collateral.

 

Guyana and Suriname: How access to capital can transform frontier energy markets: OilNOW (Columnist) by Arthur Deakin

Back in 2010, Guyana and Suriname were not known for their hydrocarbon reserves. But now, both (neighboring countries) have discovered more than 17 billion barrels of oil equivalent and gas reserves that exceed 30 trillion cubic feet. By mid 2030, Guyana is expected to produce over 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), the third highest in the region, while Suriname will produce 650,000 bpd, the fifth most in Latin America.

 

Lessons for Guyana from T&T: what to embrace and what to avoid?: Stabroek NewsVillage Voice News (Columnist) by Dr. Graham King

Dr. Graham King is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of the West Indies. He serves on the Board of CARIRI, the Energy Chamber Decarbonization Taskforce and the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturer’s Association Productivity Committee. Commodity-rich developing countries can suffer terribly from Dutch Disease. Commodity wealth bolsters imports, making them relatively cheaper and more readily accessible to the population.

  

No gas production ramp up in T&T anytime soon, outlook grim – RamnarineOilNOW

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley has signaled the twin island Republic’s intention to boost its natural gas production significantly before the end of this year. But the possibility does not exist, according to the former Minister of Energy, Kevin Ramnarine. In a recent article, Ramnarine outlined that T&T has no natural gas project from this year up until 2027 to push its natural gas production above 3 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). “We have heard that production will soon ramp up and all will be well etc. but there will be no ramp-up in 2022 or in 2023 or anytime soon,” Ramnarine noted.

 

Oil companies ripped off T&T 60 years of royalties – Kaieteur News

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2022/06/20/oil-companies-ripped-off-tt-60-years-of-royalties/

 

Ramps fails in bid to operate as local company, says it ticked all the boxes: OilNOW

Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc. has brought forward a claim that the company was denied its Local Content certification even though it met all the requirements set. “The recently passed Local Content Act stipulates that a company must have a local content certificate to operate in the Guyana Energy Sector. Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc. has followed all the required guidelines to apply for this Certificate and was denied,” the company stated.

 

‘Ramps’ says sold majority company to man with Guyanese parentage but still denied local content certificate – News Room Guyana

 

Slapped with $20M fine: RAMPS Logistics breached and bypassed local systems  – News Room Guyana

 

Ramps Logistics confused over content certificate denial by Guyana – Trinidad Guardian

https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/ramps-logistics-confused-over-content-certificate-denial-by-guyana-6.2.1510279.109654920a

 

PSC supports Govt’s action against evaders of Local Content law: Guyana Times  

…as Ramps Logistics denied local content certificate

The recent announcement by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government that it will take companies trying to circumvent the Local Content Act to court has been met with praise from the Private Sector Commission (PSC). On Wednesday, the PSC threw its support behind the Government’s stance as articulated recently by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. In particular, the PSC expressed concern over the ongoing practice of some companies to bundle contracts, which often limits local businesses participating in the value chain.

 

Business group says it fully supports ‘strong action’ against companies skirting local content lawOilNOW

Guyana’s Private Sector Commission said on Wednesday that it supports the government taking “strong action” against companies trying to circumvent the Local Content Act.The Act was passed in December, and contains provisions aimed at increasing Guyanese participation in the oil and gas sector.“The PSC is concerned by the ongoing practice to bundle contracts which often limits local businesses participating in the value chain,” it said. Minister of Natural Resources, VickramBharrat raised this issue during a meet with companies in May.

 

No “rent-a-citizen” fronting for local content must be tolerated- Georgetown Chamber – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana

 

Norway, IDB sign agreement with Guyana to ‘leapfrog its solar energy future’:OilNOW  

Norway’s Minister of Climate and the Environment, Espen Barth Eide said he is impressed by Guyana’s continued leadership on rainforest conservation, during an important contract signing for Guyana’s renewable energy future.Norway, Guyana, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed an agreement for Guyana to access funds for a series of solar energy projects, on Wednesday, which also happens to be World Rainforest Day.

  

Exxon taking back 2% royalty paid to Guyana: Kaieteur News

…‘arrangement’ also reduces taxes due to GRA

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) under its Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with government, is robbing Guyana in more ways than one, a contention agreed to by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press engagement at Office of the President on Tuesday when he described the arrangement as ‘lopsided.’ While differing on the ways with which the defects can be remedied, the Vice President also sought to bring clarity to a looming issue, namely whether EEPGL—ExxonMobil Guyana— can recover the two percent royalty it is supposed to pay to the country, on every barrel of oil ‘produced and sold from the Stabroek Block.’

 

ExxonMobil drilling Banjo-1 Well in search of more oil: Kaieteur News

United States oil major, ExxonMobil through its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has commenced exploration activities at another site in the Stabroek Block, in search of more sweet crude.On Monday, EEPGL started drilling activities at the Banjo-1 Well site, using the MODU Noble Sam Croft. The drilling activities are expected to wrap up by August 15, 2022. The oil company in a notice published in Kaieteur News said 25 vessels would provide support services for the operations.

 

Opposition takes protest to OP over Su revelation: Kaieteur News

Leaders and supporters of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Wednesday protested the Office of the President (OP), demanding that Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo vacate his office and an independent investigation be conducted into the allegations leveled against him in a damning Vice News report. In the Vice News documentary, the VP’s friend Su Zhi Rong is heard telling the undercover journalists that Jagdeo collects bribes to get business done in the country.

 

‘I wasn’t given a hearing’: Kaieteur News

– MP Mahipaul to legally challenge decision to suspend Opposition MPs

Legal advice is being sought on the motion to suspend eight opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) for the ruckus, they created in the National assembly late last year. The motion is set to be tabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly. A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Parliamentarian, Ganesh Mahipaul told Kaieteur News on Tuesday, that while he is yet to receive confirmation on the decision from the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges, he already reached out to his lawyer for advice on the matter.

 

The COI does not prejudice an election petition: Kaieteur News (Columnist) Peeping Tom

The issue of consultations for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) does not arise. Commissions of Inquiry are fact-finding bodies. There is therefore no need for any consultation in establishing a fact-finding investigation into the General and Regional Elections of 2020. What will be the objective of having consultations? And how can the Opposition which stands accused of attempting to benefit from the rigging of the elections be part of any consultations about the elections. This is like asking an accused person to pick his own jury.

  

Helping fastrack business dealings cannot be seen as corruption -AG Nandlall: News Source  

Attorney General Anil Nandlall is defending Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in wake of the bribery allegations in that Vice News report. The Vice President has denied the allegations and President Irfaan Ali indicated that he has full confidence in the Vice President. Now the Attorney General has added his voice in defense of the Vice President. During his weekly Issues in the News television programme last evening, the Attorney General said the statements made by the Vice President and captured by undercover cameras need to be taken in context and Mr. Jagdeo cannot be accused of any wrongdoing based on the statements.

 

RAMPS Logistics denied Local Content certificate to operate in Guyana O&G sector: News Source

In a statement today, the company said “the recently passed Local Content Act stipulates that a company must have a local content certificate to operate in the Guyana Energy Sector. Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc. has followed all the required guidelines to apply for this Certificate and was denied”… “I know they applied but I will have to get the information from the Secretariat. But if you do not meet the criteria, any company as a matter of fact, and not RAMPS alone, but any company if they don’t reach the criteria as stated in the legislation then we can’t approve. It’s not only 51% Guyanese ownership, but also 75% managerial staff, 90% total staff, and so there are other criteria than just the 51% ownership and then we have to be able to verify the 51% ownership too and it’s not just providing a document that an individual has 51% ownership who is a Guyanese citizen.

 

Elections petition and not CoI can provide finality to Elections 2020 concerns -says PNCRNews Source

During a press conference today, PNCR Executive Member Gary Best said the COI appears to be aimed at distracting people from the failures of the current government and allegations which were leveled against the Vice President. He said he also believes it is being convened to put a stumbling block in the way of the Elections petition. The People’s National Congress Reform, (PNCR), which is the largest party in the APNU+AFC coalition, has raised questions about the planned Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 General Elections, while there is an active Elections Petition questioning the outcome of the elections still before the Courts

  

Appointment of COI deliberate to thwart election petition proceedings- MP Forde: Village Voice News

A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde SC, condemned the Government’s approach to establishing a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the 2020 Elections. In an interview with Village Voice, Forde, who is one of the leading lawyers in the Opposition’s election petitions, said the establishment of the COI is a political decision taken by a political party who contested the elections and whose candidate has since assumed the presidency.

 

Opposition wants court to declare President in dereliction of duty over top judicial appointments: Stabroek News  

A “gross dereliction and abdication of the duty” for which he has no ‘lawful excuse’ is how the main opposition APNU+AFC described what they say is President Irfaan Ali’s “failure” to consult with the Leader of the Opposition for agreement on the substantive appointments of a Chancellor and Chief Justice. The coalition as previously hinted by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, has now officially filed an action asking the High Court to declare among other things, that Ali has in fact failed to consult with Norton for substantive officer holders for the top two judicial posts.

  

Despite Commission of Inquiry, State to continue prosecuting criminal charges against ex GECOM officials, othersDemerara Waves

Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde said the persons charged with electoral fraud would have to decide their next step in light of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the 2020 general and regional elections. “There are persons charged who will decide on what is in there best interest. Every consideration will be taken into account to determine what are the best steps to be taken,” he told Demerara Waves when asked whether efforts would be made to block the start of the Commission of Inquiry which was announced on Tuesday.

 

PNC, AFC in separate calls for consultations on election commission of inquiryDemerara Waves

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) , and the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Wednesday demanded that the government consults with them on the terms of reference of the 2020 election commission of inquiry, in an effort to secure broad-based acceptance. “As the President has insisted on being a judge in his own cause, the PNCR demands that the government and opposition agree on finalising the terms of reference if only to reduce potential bias and expose the nation to the plethora of evidence of electoral malpractice by the PPP in the recently concluded 2020 general and regional elections,” PNCR Executive Member, Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best told a news conference.

  

Center for Local Business Development-Guyana posted: Halliburton announces the following opportunity: To apply, submit your application via the following link: ttps://jobs.halliburton.com/…/Georgetown…/899620900/ or send your CV to ta-caribbean@halliburton.com with the subject line Technical Interns. #CentreGuyana #GreaterGuyanaInitiave #HalliburtonGuyana

 

Center for Local Business Development- Guyana posted: New business opportunities have been posted to the Centre’s website. – Baker Hughes Guyana has and RFP for the Customs Brokerage Services. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2022. – Noble Drilling Guyana has and RFI for the Supply of Marine Distress Signal & Pyrotechnics. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2022. – Noble Drilling Guyana has and RFI for Over the Counter Medication and Supplies. Deadline for submission is July 15, 2022. View the full documents on the link below! https://centreguyana.com/opportunities/

 

Center for Local Business Development- Guyana posted: And we are off!

Phase 2 for #AccelerateHer 2.0 kicked off on June 8 where the 19 selected women entrepreneurs met their mentors for the programme during Mentor Match Day. Since then, every Wednesday morning the entrepreneurs have weekly class sessions with the Centre team on learning specialised areas to help them further refine and grow their Business Model Canvas, pitches and themselves.  This week we are “Going to the Market” and looking at the BME, Sales, Growth and Retention Technique. #CentreGuyana #GreaterGuyanaInitiative #AccelerateHer

 

Prospects for investors and operators in Suriname’s Energy Sector | Americas Market Intelligence

 

Oil companies ripped off T&T 60 years of royalties – Kaieteur News

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2022/06/20/oil-companies-ripped-off-tt-60-years-of-royalties/

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