Tag: Environment

Introduction

This column turns attention to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Liza Phase 1 Develop-ment Project done by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) an external consultancy firm which describes itself as is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability related services. Volume 1 of the Assessment runs to approximately 450 pages of which 100 pages make up Chapter 6 which includes a rather expansive description of non-environment related information about Guyana’s ground transportation infrastructure, the country’s Administrative Divisions, the ethnic composition of the population, the education system, the economy etc.

The consultants claim that they did not encounter any specific difficulties in preparing the EIA and that the information provided on the project and the resources found in the project development area were adequate for them to prepare a robust impact assessment.

It is with more than passing interest that ERM disclosed that the Petroleum Agreement was confidential! Continue reading “Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded (Part 47)”

Oil and the Environment

The title of this week’s column is borrowed from a presentation by Annette Arjoon-Martins, Mr. Anand Goolsarran and Ms. Melinda Janki held at Moray House last evening. Annette is of course particularly known for her work with the community in Region One at Shell Beach in protecting marine turtles. Goolsarran is a former Auditor General of Guyana who also served the United Nations in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, which probably required as much of a skill in auditing as in dodging bullets. Melinda Janki is an attorney-at-law specialising in international environmental law and indigenous and human rights who has also worked for a number of international oil companies.

Not surprisingly, there was much discussion on the environmental permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (ExxonMobil) which should see the oil giant and its two JV partners begin to pump oil in 2020. Melinda Janki was adamant that given the weaknesses identified in the documents submitted by ExxonMobil for the issue of an Environmental Permit, the permit that has been issued should be revoked. The documentation comprises an Environmental Impact Assessment, Technical Appendices, Environmental and Socio-Economic Management Plan and Oil Spill Response Plan. Citing statistics and information contained in the documents, Ms. Janki is convinced that a case can be made for the Environmental Permit to be set aside by the Court! Continue reading “Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded (Part 22)”