Latest update March 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 14, 2018 News
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
The government already knows that more than 200 people will gain employment as a result of the gas to power project. It knows that electricity will be reduced to US 10 cents per megawatt/hour and that the project will see a 200 mv plant. What the government still does not know is where the plant will be located. A final decision is still to be made.
This decision is one that is currently stalling the completion of a feasibility study that ExxonMobil is conducting to determine the economic viability of the gas to power project which has been dubbed a temporary fix for Guyana’s electricity woes.
The Production Sharing Agreement that exists between Guyana and ExxonMobil gives the company the right to re-inject associated gas into the oil producing wells. It also provides for alternative arrangements like the gas to power project. But, such, according to the contract, is predicated on a feasibility study that must be done by ExxonMobil.
A few weeks ago, when he held his first and only press conference thus far, Head of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, said, “A gas to power feasibility analysis is being conducted.”
Yesterday, Attorney at Law, Charles Ramson, told this newspaper that he has been reliably informed that ExxonMobil “has already done all it could, that the company has done its part. But the feasibility study is stalled because the government cannot provide the needed facts.”
Ramson, who severed as a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, said that the study has been stalled for quite some time now.
He said that ExxonMobil and Government already know that the project is viable in that the needed electricity can be generated. However, Ramson said that the very important economic analysis that forms part of the feasibility study, is still to be completed.”
The lawyer, who also has a master’s degree in Oil and Gas Management, explained that in order for ExxonMobil to determine the economic feasibility of the project, there are several decisions that the government will have to make upon demand of the company.
“When the company is armed with these decisions, only then will it be able to complete its assessment. For instance, you cannot expect ExxonMobil to be able to pronounce on whether the project is economically feasible if it does not even know where the plant would be located.
“That is a decision that the government has to make and cannot make on to this date. How are we to be considered a serious country if simple things like these cannot be given priority?”
Ramson noted that, so far, only associated gas has been discovered in Guyana. He recalled ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, saying that ExxonMobil still thinks it best that Guyana re-injects its natural gas. Henson said that that is a more economical route to take. However, he also said that ExxonMobil is considering Guyana’s special circumstance and the need to reduce the cost of electricity.
These comments were made during a parliamentary meeting of the Committee of Natural Resources.
Ramson said, “Considering all that Henson has said, we need to decide soon whether we want to go down the road of gas to power. But the main thing is that we need to decide.”
He continued, “If we rule out gas to power then we have to get going on another solution to our electricity woes but this stall is not helpful; in fact it is destructive.”
Ramson said that he had seen, in several sections of the media, comments attributed to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, to the effect that the plant will be stationed at Woodlands, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
“What has since happened? The public is not aware. But I can say to you that the government is still to be sure about this location. Otherwise, ExxonMobil would have been much closer to completing its economic analysis.”
Ramson said that the economic analysis will vary based on the location chosen for the plant to be stationed because that will then translate to how much pipe will be needed to be laid.
Also, Ramson said that the location will speak a lot to how much stabilization work will have to be done on the shoreline and where the generators will be placed.
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
Mar 19, 2024
Kaieteur Sports – The Dennis DeoRoop-trained horse, Stolen Money, dominated the field to claim victory in the feature event at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot East Berbice on...Kaieteur News – The government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development spree. It has initiated major... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – In 2024, a series of general elections in Latin American countries, including... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]