Hess, CNOOC to continue uninterrupted operations using joint license

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd and China National Offshore Oil Cooperation Guyana (CNOOC) are allowed to conduct their operations in the local oil and gas industry using one licence.

This was confirmed by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday in a judgment that upheld the decision of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

The Appellate Court ruled that the two companies did not need separate licences to engage in oil development and production given that the licence was obtained by their partner, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (Esso).

These companies named are co-ventures in the Stabroek Block along with U.S oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The Court of Appeal effectively dismissed the appeal of activist Ramon Gaskin and allows for the companies’ operations to continue uninterrupted.

A statement from the Attorney General Chambers noted that Gaskin had argued before the 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.

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

The Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was represented by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC; Solicitor General Nigel Hawke and Deputy Solicitor General Deborah Kumar.

Andrew Pollard, SC, represented Esso Guyana, and CNOOC, and Nigel Hughes represented Hess.

The appellant, Ramon Gaskin, was represented by Seenath Jairam, SC, Melinda Janki, and Ron Motilall.