Former President David Granger gave Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, a one-year extension to search for oil in the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks offshore Guyana.
This was revealed in documents released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Tuesday.
The company’s license to explore would have been up in 2026. EEPGL, however, requested an extension due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on letters dated July 24, 2020, then President Granger wrote to EEPGL President Alistair Routledge, informing him that the extension was granted.
“Additional time added to relevant periods such that the days beginning on 11 March 2020 and ending on 10 March 2021 are not counted in assessing elapsed time applicable to Petroleum Prospecting License NO/ 1793/2016 dated 7th October 2016.
“The timeline will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine whether adjustments to this period are warranted, the first such review being 9th September 2020,” President Granger wrote.
Earlier this year, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed that a one-year extension was granted. That means, the oil exploration license was extended to 2026.
The release from the Ministry of Natural Resources clarified that no extensions have been provided for production operations under any existing Petroleum Production Licence.
The documents were released by the Ministry in response to statements critical of the extension from members of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change Opposition.
It was however emphasised that it was Granger, the President under the APNU+AFC government, who granted the extension.
“… when the APNU/AFC leadership issued such statements they not only highlighted their duplicitous nature but also exposed the depth to which they would go to misinform the public while at the same displaying their contempt for the development of the oil and gas sector,” the release said.
The Prez had we distracted wid de riggin crew. ‘N Exxon smart bad!
So, this “granger” fellah is the culprit ? If, only the PNC, and their bunch knew about this. Listen up, all- they did know about it, not so sure about Ramjattoo- but, they trying to deflect and the blame the PPP ?