30-year licence a win-win for Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela

23 December 2023

Venezuelan Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea, with vice president Delcy Rodríguez, and Energy Minister Stuart Young completed the signing ceremony for the Dragon Gas Field licence in Caracas, Venezuela,

The Prime Minister and Energy Minister announced that Trinidad and Tobago secured the licence to develop the Dragon maritime energy field in Venezuela’s waters. On Thursday 21st December in Caracas, Minister Young signed the final documents that gave the green light for natural gas from Dragon to flow to TT. He posted,

“Historic moment as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has granted the licence for the Dragon Gas Field to NGC and Shell to develop and produce gas for export to TT. This is a huge win for the people of Venezuela and TT. I am humbled and privileged to have played a key role in making this a reality.”

Dr Rowley posted, “We have secured the licence to the Dragon gas field! “Yes, in the spirit of good neighbourliness, the dragon can dance.”

Rowley and Young explained the significance of the development to media. Rowley declared, “This is a historic development on a historic day for the people of Venezuela and TT. While it is not a boom, it a brighter future, as of today.”

He reminded the media of efforts made by the PNM since returning to office in September 2015 to repair the energy sector, including natural gas curtailments, no new gas contracts and the National Gas Company (NGC) facing $8 billion in claims from energy companies.  From 2015, Government realised one of the strategies it could use to remedy that situation was to look to its neighbours.

“Venezuela has a large confirmed reserve of natural gas. We are seven miles from Venezuela.”

A country processing raw material from another country and exporting it was not new. Since the 1970s, prime minister Dr Eric Williams had established a foreign-relations policy which continued to give TT excellent relations with its international partners, “Where the Government is strong is on policy and diplomacy.”

He recalled visits he and Young made to Washington, DC, and Caracas over the last five years, to convince policymakers there to secure the licence for the Dragon field. He praised Foreign Minister Dr Amery Browne, Guyana President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne for diplomatic help. He praised US Congresswoman Maxine Walters for opening doors in Washington for TT to argue its case for Dragon.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licence which TT received to pursue the Dragon project was “a carve-out” from the US so TT could continue to do business while US sanctions were in effect against Venezuela. He rejected claims from the Opposition UNC that Government was putting all its eggs in one basket in pursuing the Dragon deal.

“Ignore the naysayers.”

Government also successfully completed the restructuring of Atlantic LNG (ALNG) to give Government, through NGC, a ten per cent shareholding in all four of the company’s LNG trains. He then disclosed a new feature of the restructured ALNG.

“The new agreement allows third-party gas (gas not produced by any of ALNG’s shareholders- BP, Shell and NGC) to come to plant for processing.”

That was important for energy companies working in the region that did not have a way to get their gas to market. He said that was why Government had memoranda of understanding with Barbados and Grenada for offshore energy companies operating in those countries to provide surplus natural gas to plants in TT. Barbados did send oil to Trinidad for refining at Petrotrin. Rowley said part of Government’s vision was to develop TT as a manufacturing and exporting hub for petrochemicals within Caricom and for the northern part of South America.

Asked how Dragon would benefit the population, Rowley said it would “protect our revenue stream.”

In the short term it would help TT preserve the revenue it has now. Dragon and other energy initiatives being pursued would put TT in a better position where gas production and consumption was concerned.

Young agreed with Rowley.

“We have covered all bases.”

Young said Government remained hopeful that the first gas from Dragon could reach TT in 2025. He added that a ship would do a survey of the field in April 2024. Dragon was not the only energy initiative TT was pursuing with Venezuela. Last month, Shell announced it had awarded a contract to McDermott to build the infrastructure to bring natural gas from the Manatee field, in TT’s territorial waters. The contract was possible because of negotiations with Venezuela to delink Manatee from the Loran-Manatee field, which straddles the TT-Venezuela maritime border. He hinted that the possibility of obtaining gas from the Loran field, which lies in Venezuela’s waters, was being examined .

Reaction to securing of the licence was generally positive. Venezuelan vice-president Delcy Rodriguez said, “Without a doubt, this project marks a historic moment for the homeland, as part of the energy polices promoted by the president (Nicolas Maduro).”

Rodriguez witnessed the signing of the documents for the Dragon licence on Thursday. She said the Dragon deal would strengthen Venezuela’s role as a gas exporter. Rodriguez viewed the licence as further evidence of strong and growing diplomatic relations between Venezuela and TT.

“Venezuela and TT continue to strengthen their relations of friendship and bilateral co-operation.”

Former minister in the ministry of finance Vasant Bharath said, “Although I am pleased from a country perspective that the licence has been granted, a critical assessment would require information on investment terms, project timelines, and the distribution of responsibilities between the two companies.

“Without such specifics, it’s challenging to gauge the potential impact and risks associated with this venture. Concerns about the Venezuelan government’s track record with foreign companies, as evident in ongoing cases before the International Court for Arbitration, further emphasise the need for careful consideration of sovereign rights, obligations, and cross-border arrangements in this venture.”

He observed that upcoming presidential and general elections in the US and TT, in 2024 and 2025 respectively, could have an effect on the Dragon project. Bharath said Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had publicly taken an anti-Maduro stance for a long time. Outcomes of both elections could add an additional layer of risk and uncertainty to the situation.

UWI economist Dr Vaalmikki Arjoon said, “This is yet another significant and successful step taken in the process for us to monetise and export gas from the Dragon field.”

The overall success of the project could also open up further opportunities to access gas from other fields in Venezuela. While Venezuela has the ninth largest gas reserves in the world, at 203 trillion cubic feet (tcf), Arjoon said it also had many stranded and idle fields, owing to insufficient investment and maintenance.

“Venezuela is in need of much foreign investment in their proven oil and gas fields to regenerate their hydrocarbon sector, and TT can be a part of this equation especially once the Dragon gas project is successful.”

Arjoon said the Dragon project could bolster regional energy security and support the rehabilitation and development of Venezuela’s oil and gas industry.

Apart from supplementing future gas production with gas from the Dragon field, “Another key priority ought to be making the terms of investment for the energy companies as attractive as possible to encourage greater exploration and drilling activities.”

Arjoon said that was important since the transition toward green energy was likely to move at a faster pace given the recent outcomes of COP 28.

“We, therefore, do not want to risk getting to a state where there is still much gas left to monetise but little global demand. Gas underground has no value until it is extracted and monetised.”

With gas production levels being 34 per cent lower than a decade ago, Arjoon said this is vital, “given that we are a mature province.”

Should TT be able to access Dragon gas by 2025, Arjoon estimated that this could increase gas production from 2.8 to 2.85 billion scf per day.

The Energy Chamber said, “This is a very significant development for the energy industry in TT. The announcement represents an important further milestone in the plans to import natural gas from Venezuela for use in our well-developed existing downstream gas industry and LNG export facilities. This natural gas will help return the mid- and downstream infrastructure in Trinidad to capacity utilisation and will provide the world with a much-needed secure source of LNG and petrochemicals, such as methanol and ammonia.”

The NGC praised the efforts of all involved in bringing the deal over the line. They included the Energy Ministry and its Venezuela counterpart, Shell, NGC and Venezuelan NOC, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA).

“All parties worked steadfastly and amicably to bring this significant signing one step closer to operationalising gas production from Dragon.”

In the short term the immediate benefit to be obtained from Dragon was the potential to “buttress gas supplies and by extension energy industry development in the twin-island (state).”

“The signing has strengthened and deepened energy relations between TT and Venezuela and opened prospects for the future development of other cross-border and across-border gas reserves between both countries.”

Story of the Dragon

The US$1 billion Dragon deal was signed between TT and Venezuela in August 2018. This included energy giant Shell, Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA and the NGC.

TT will develop the field, which is estimated to produce approximately 150 million standard cubic feet of gas a day. The gas will be imported through a billion-dollar pipeline to the Hibiscus platform off the northwest coast of TT jointly owned by the Government, NGC and Shell.

The deal was left in limbo after the US imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2019.

On January 24, the Prime Minister announced that the US had lifted the sanctions to allow TT to extract gas from Venezuela. This waiver came after almost four years of lobbying led by Dr Rowley and supported by other Caricom leaders. The waiver came with stipulations, one being a two-year licence with an optimistic view of an extension and priority given to Caribbean countries, except Cuba.

In October, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) offered an extension of the licence it issued to TT to access natural gas from the Dragon gas field and the ability to pay for that gas in different ways.

Energy Minister Stuart Young announced the extension of the licence to October 31, 2025 on October 17.

The extension also allows Government to pay for gas from the field in “fiat currency, US dollars, as well as (Venezuelan bolivares), as well as via humanitarian measures.”

 

 

 

Shell, NGC license to develop Venezuela’s Dragon gas field

December 21, 2023

by Vivian Sequera, Curtis Williams, Marianna Parraga

Dec 21 (Reuters) – Shell PLC SHEL.L and Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC) NGCTT.UL were awarded a license by Venezuela to develop the 4.2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) Dragon gas field and export its production to the island for processing at Atlantic LNG.

There were scant details of the agreement and no information about participation by each company.

Venezuela’s SOC PDVSA discovered Dragon and neighboring gas fields.

The project marks the first time Venezuela will produce and export gas, Venezuelan vice-president Delcy Rodriguez was quoted as saying by PDVSA.

The NOC said Trinidad energy minister Stuart Young confirmed NGC and Shell will work hand in hand with the Venezuelan government.

“We have secured the license to the Dragon gas field!” said Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley

Shell confirmed the deal, though it was subject to final investment decisions: “The Dragon field is located in the Mariscal Sucre region offshore Venezuela, adjacent to the Venezuela-Trinidad maritime border approximately 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Trinidad’s Hibiscus platform, is co-owned by NGC and Shell.”

Trinidad has been trying to win access to gas from the field to ramp up its exports of LNG and petrochemicals, which have suffered in recent years due to a lack of domestic supply.

Dragon, located in Venezuelan waters near the maritime border between the two countries, was put forth by PDVSA about a decade ago when production tests were made and a gas line partially built. But it was not commercially developed amid lack of partners, investment and, more recently, U.S. sanctions.

Discussions between Shell and PDVSA about pricing formulas applicable to future LNG prices threatened to derail the deal, source close to the talks said.

• Trinidad’s flagship Atlantic LNG project includes four processing trains that can produce up to 15 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of liquefied gas. But last year the facility only produced 8.2 MTPA, official figures showed.
• Atlantic LNG is a significant contributor to Shell’s LNG portfolio. Last year, Shell’s share of the facility’s output was 4.4 million metric tons or 15% of its global production.
• Venezuela close to approving offshore gas license with Trinidad, Shell https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/venezuela-close-approving-offshore-gas-license-with-trinidad-shell-2023-11-20/
• US grants license amendment to Trinidad for joint gas project with Venezuela https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-grants-license-amendment-trinidad-joint-gas-project-with-venezuela-2023-10-17/
• Venezuela to receive 27% more income from PDVSA after sanctions easing-document
• US broadly eases Venezuela oil sanctions after election deal
• Venezuela prods BP, Chevron to revive gas project near Trinidad, Guyana
• Venezuela close to approving offshore gas license with Trinidad, Shell

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera in Caracas and Curtis Williams and Marianna Parraga in Houston Editing by Nick Zieminski)

 

Guyana, Venezuela to eschew force for Essequibo

December 15th 2023

Ali and Maduro will meet again in three months in Brazil

Amid the gloom of Old World wars, while citizens reel from crime, costs and shortages, the New World grabs attention with UN-style razzmatazz. to squander precious resources.

On an active volatile volcano of St. Vincent, leaders witnessed Presidents Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and Irfaan Ali of Guyana agreeing not to threaten each other or use force in any circumstances over the Essequibo jungle.

The 11-topic understanding emerged in the first round of talks brokered by host Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves as president pro-tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), launched in Venezuela to exclude the USA, main ally of Guyana.

Tension between the two petrostates escalated after the December. 3 referendum asking Venezuelans to support annexation of Essequibo, under Guyanese control since 1899.

Both countries issued a joint communiqué stating that “any dispute” will be resolved “in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement” of 1966. They pledged to continue with “dialogue on any other outstanding issues of mutual importance” and to refrain, “whether in word or deed, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any dispute.”

Caracas and Georgetown will “cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground that lead to tensions” and, in case of such an event, ”immediately communicate with each other, with the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and with the President of Brazil“, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to ”contain it, reverse it and prevent it from recurring.“

WIth the UN involved in the dialogue, observers expect bureaucracy and waste of time and taxes.

It was announced that a ”joint commission“ will be established at a Foreign Ministry level to ”deal with mutually agreed issues.“ and provide an update ”within three months” when Ali and Maduro convene again somewhere in Brazil.

Guyana ratified its adherence to the process and procedures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the resolution of the border dispute. Venezuela denied the ICJ any jurisdiction over the matter. This meeting was thus a predictable trap for Guyana which should refuse to meet again after intolerable Venezuelan aggression.

Before the meeting, Ali insisted the territorial dispute would have a “binding” solution from the ICJ. “I made it very clear that Guyana has every right to exercise its sovereign right within its territorial space and to approve and facilitate any development, investment, partnership, agreement, collaboration, cooperation, the granting of any license and the granting of any concession within our territorial space,” he told media. He recalled that Guyana was “not the aggressor” and ”does not seek war.”

Prime Minister Gonsalves, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica (Acting President of Caricom), and President Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain valid interlocutors. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will be an observer. Prime Minister Gonsalves’ role will continue even after his country ceases to be President Pro-Tempore of Celac and Prime Minister Skerrit’s role will continue as a member of the Caricom Bureau.

Lula was represented by Special Envoy Celso Amorim.

 

 

 

 

Argyle declaration- a Communique for peace, dead on arrival

December 15, 2023

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Argyle on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held discussions on matters consequential to the territory in dispute between their two countries.

Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit facilitated discussions. Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit, with H.E. Mr. Celso Amorim, Special Adviser and Personal Envoy of H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, acted as principal Interlocutors. Present were Honourable Prime Ministers of the Caribbean Community, the Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Honourable Terrence Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Attending as Observers on behalf of His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations were Their Excellencies Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Miroslav Jenca, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. His Excellency Alvaro Leyva Durán, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia and Mr. Gerardo Torres Zelaya, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras, in his capacity as CELAC Troika, participated.

All parties attending the meeting at Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace.

Guyana and Venezuela declared as follows:

• • Agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.
  • Agreed that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
  • Committed to the pursuance of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Noted Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy.
  • Noted Venezuela’s assertion of its lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy.
  • Agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries.
  • Agreed that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them.

The two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

• • Agreed to establish immediately a joint commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters as mutually agreed. An update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

Both States agreed that Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the incumbent CARICOM Chairman, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain seized of the matter as Interlocutors and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres as Observer, with the ongoing concurrence of Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro.

For the avoidance of doubt, Prime Minister Gonsalves’ role will continue even after Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ceases to be the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC, within the framework of the CELAC Troika plus one; and Prime Minister Skerrit’s role will continue as a member of the CARICOM Bureau.

Both States agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission.

We express our appreciation to Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit, to President Lula and his Personal Envoy Celso Amorim, to all other CARICOM Prime Ministers present, to the officials of the CARICOM Secretariat, to the CELAC Troika and to the Head of the CELAC PTP Secretariat in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Dr. Douglas Slater, for their respective roles in making this meeting a success.

We express our appreciation to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for their kind facilitation and hospitality at this meeting.

Dated this 14th day of December, 2023.

Venezuela plans to annex 70% of Guyana territory of 62,000 square miles, in a clear swap for a licence offered to Trinidad to develop Dragon gas field with Shell as operator holding a 70% interest.

Venezuela nationalised Shell in 1976 after nationalizing the natural gas industry in 1971 when the law of reversion stated that all assets of concessionaires would revert to the nation without compensation on expiration of the concession. Nationalization led to growth between 1970 and 1973, when the .OPEC raised prices by 70 percent and placed an embargo on allies of Israel sparking the oil crisis. History may repeat itself.

Predictably, the Argyle communique is now obsolete, superseded by mobilisation of US Southern Command and UK Royal Navy, reminiscent of the short-lived WI Federation from 3 January 1958 to 31 May 1962, expiring from bantu belligerence.

CARICOM has a short memory after being formally designated as the sixth region of the African continent during the second annual Africa-Caricom Day on September 7, at UWI Jamaica.

Absence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica at the St Vincent talks is highly significant. The UWI/CRC forum on cultural exposition reaffirmed the commitment to forging stronger bonds between Africa and its diaspora.

Such unilateral incorporation of multi-ethnic states without a referendum gave corrupt Bolivarians ideas for hegemony, with a copycat communist calendar of paper maps, flags and ID and other intolerable measures to hide the sly annexation of Essequibo.

University of the West Indies, VC claimed that CARICOM was transparent about allegiance to Guyana. As CARICOM and VENEZUELA weaponize words with deeds,, the Venezuelan threat to Guyana, the HQ of CARICOM destabilises the entire region.

CARICOM is compromised through Petrocaribe, dependence on Dragon gas and failure to oust usurpers of the 2020 election in Guyana, rescued by USA, UK and EU. Can cosmopolitan Caricom now seek peace after allowing its conquest by the AU, a byword for conflict, corruption, danger, tyranny and strife?

 

 

 

Commission to handle Guyana and Venezuela dispute

2023, 12/15 AP

The leaders of Guyana and Venezuela promised in a tense meeting to eschew force but failed to reach agreement on how to address a bitter dispute over a vast border region abounding in petroleum and other minerals that threatens the region. Instead, a joint commission composed of the foreign ministers of both countries and other officials will address the problem, with a report expected within three months.

Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolás Maduro agreed to meet again in Brazil within three months or at another agreed-upon time, according to an 11-point communique read to media when no questions were allowed and to “refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict.”

Tension over Essequibo raised fears of a military conflict, though many believe that is unlikely. Venezuela insists Essequibo was part of its territory during the Spanish colonial period and argues that a 1966 Geneva Agreement among Venezuela, Britain and then-British Guiana, now Guyana, nullified a border drawn in 1899 by international arbitrators. A paper invasion with a flotilla of flags, maps and IDs is underway to annex the territory of Guyana.

Discovery of oil in Guyana reignited the century-old dispute which escalated when Venezuela reported that its citizens had voted in a referendum to claim two-thirds of the landmass of Guyana..

CARICOM prime ministers attended the hours- long meeting between the two leaders at the international airport in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent.

The declaration noted the impasse between Ali and Maduro. Guyana believes the border controversy should be resolved by the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands to which Venezuela did not consent as it does not recognize the court or its jurisdiction in the dispute. Neither president addressed media after their meeting.

Earlier in the day, Guyana issued a statement saying that Essequibo “is not up for discussion, negotiation or deliberation.” Ali echoed those comments among media during a break in talks.

“All of this belongs to Guyana,” Ali said, pointing to a thick leather bracelet on his right wrist featuring the outline of Guyana. “No narrative propaganda (or) decree can change this. This is Guyana.”

Ali noted that while both parties are committed to keeping peace in the region, Guyana “is not the aggressor.”    “Guyana is not seeking war, but Guyana reserves the right to work with all of our partners to ensure the defense of our country.”

Before the meeting Maduro said “we will make the most of it so that our Latin America and the Caribbean remains a zone of peace.”

The two presidents clasped hands before their talks as colleagues applauded.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that Biden administration officials were closely monitoring the rising tensions. “We don’t want to see this come to blows.There’s no reason for it to, and our diplomats are engaged in real time.”

Ali and Maduro first met individually with prime ministers and other officials from the region who promoted the meeting to defuse the situation.

Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said that “to use a cricket metaphor, this is not a one-day cricket match. The fact that they will be talking is very important on friendly, neutral grounds like St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

President Maduro ordered state-owned companies to explore and exploit the oil, gas and mines in Essequibo. Both sides placed their militaries on alert. These are hostile actions.

In a letter to Gonsalves Ali rejected Maduro’s description of the “meddling of the United States Southern Command, which has begun operations in the disputed territory.”
“Any allegation that a military operation aimed at Venezuela exists in any part of Guyanese territory is false, misleading and provocative,” Ali said in the letter.

The U.S. Southern Command conducted flight operations within Guyana in recent days.

 

 

 

PM Rowley muzzles UNC ’ on Essequibo mediation

2023, 12/09

In a blatant attack on freedom of speech at a media conference, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley accused the Opposition of impeding Guyana after United National Congress leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar reiterated calls for the Government to mediate in the Essequibo dispute. Notorious for undiplomatic tirades, he criticised Opposition comments as a direct contradiction of Guyana’s desires.

“The people of Guyana are firm in their position. I speak to the President on an ongoing basis, as a head of Caricom, this has been in front of us a long time. Guyana does not encourage and does not require its problem to be dealt with by any mediation with Venezuela at this time. Guyana places its store and its fortunes in the adjudication of the International Court of Justice. Venezuela’s position is they do not recognise that court. So, we have to find some other avenue or negotiations and dialogue will have to evolve.”

“The parties have to subject themselves to mediation. One person cannot mediate something against somebody else and the Opposition should know that and should shut up because all those interventions are worsening the situation for Guyana and if we say we’re supporting Guyana, we can’t be supporting them verbally and undermining what they believe is their best approach. There’s a government in Trinidad and Tobago and I dare say the politics should stop at the borderline.”.

He also refuted Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who, in an interview with media, urged T&T to be careful of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Jagdeo was responding to a reporter who asked what key lessons the T&T government could learn from Guyana’s issue with Venezuela as the Dragon Gas deal is pursued. Jagdeo retorted that Maduro was untrustworthy.

However, Rowley said despite this advice, he will put his best foot forward and continue a working relationship with Maduro.

“There’s a place for trust in dealing with leaders, international officials, and there’s a place for doing business and they are not really qualifying me as any expert in mental health or truth bar. What I can tell you is that Trinidad and Tobago’s position is that we maintain good, honest and direct relationships with all our neighbours including Venezuela and we conduct ourselves on certain principles. If you look at the world, you will see very many people conducting business with people who they probably wouldn’t go to church with or wouldn’t marry their daughter,”

Asked about Jagdeo’s position that Guyana would request the reimposition of sanctions if Maduro “miscalculates” and goes forward with his “crazy ideas”, he reserved comment.

“If there’s anybody who is asking for sanctions on Venezuela which are detrimental to Caricom or to Trinidad and Tobago, that’s a conversation that they want to carry but I would do nothing to worsen the situation,” he said.

The Prime Minister further reiterated his hope that there is no escalation in tensions to undermine the Caribbean as a zone of peace. To critics challenging T&T’s refusal to independently denounce Venezuela’s position on the Essequibo, save for being a part of Caricom, he said:

“I would not for one minute shy away from the fact that Trinidad and Tobago’s position is at Caricom that we are more effective in all matters, especially matters of this nature, when we speak with one voice. If I could hide behind Caricom, there’s no better place to hide but there’s no reason to hide. ”

 

 

Rowley to attend Essequibo talks

2023, 12/13

Days after gagging the Opposition UNC on Essequibo , Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will attend the meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela on matters related to their border dispute. The meeting was borne out of discussions and a decision taken at a virtual Caricom emergency meeting of Heads of Government on 8 December 2023.

CARICOM Heads repeated where their stance on the most critical aspects of the situation, namely:

• 1. That they ‘firmly support (s) Guyana in pursuance of the resolution of its border controversy with Venezuela through the process of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’.
• 2. That they ‘urge Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures determined by the ICJ  in its recent ruling until a final resolution’.
• 3. That they reiterate CARICOM’s ‘commitment to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the maintenance of international law’.

Aware that the matter is under consideration by the ICJ and that the Court’s proceedings cannot be compromised, CARICOM Heads called for an ‘appropriate’ dialogue between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela: to ensure ‘peaceful co-existence’, ‘the application and respect for international law’, and ‘the avoidance of the use or threats of force’.

Confirming to St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves that he will attend the meeting, Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali reminded that in their call for an engagement between Guyana and Venezuela, the Caricom Heads urged “a de-escalation of the conflict through an appropriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful co-existence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.”

Dr Ali added, “It is this framework for the meeting to which I have consented and to which I remain committed.”

Dr Ali noted that it was incumbent upon him to respond to what he called certain inaccuracies in President Maduro’s letter to Dr Gonsalves of December 11, particularly his statement that the ‘high-level dialogue’ to which you have invited us, is “in order to directly address the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana.”

Ali explained that, as established in the Caricom meeting and conveyed in the outcome statement, there is full support by Caricom for Guyana in pursuance of the resolution of its border controversy with Venezuela through the process of the International Court of Justice.

“I, too, have a mandate from the National Assembly of Guyana, which is unanimous in its resolve that the land boundary is not a matter for bilateral discussions and the settlement of the matter is properly in the International Court of Justice where it must remain until the court gives its final ruling on the merits of the case which, Guyana has always said, and I repeat, will be fully respected by Guyana,” he said.

Ali noted that Venezuela has never offered any credible support or evidence for its contention of nullity and invalidity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the boundary between the then British Guiana and Venezuela. He said it has also not offered evidence to contradict the validity of the 1905 Agreement, signed by both parties, fixing the boundary along the line established in the 1899 Arbitral Award.

“To the contrary, between 1899 and 1962 Venezuela accepted that boundary as the international boundary between the two states, as reflected in all official Venezuela maps published during this 6o+ year period. Indeed, it applauded the award, claiming as a great victory the attribution of the mouth of the Orinoco River—which was understood by both parties as the most important territory’ in dispute—to Venezuela,” he said.

Dr Ali pointed to the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which provides assurances of a final settlement by resting in the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the authority to choose the International Court of Justice as the means of settling the controversy in accordance with international law.

“This is what he did in 2018. The parties are bound by the Geneva Agreement to accept the ICJ as the means of settlement, and to accept the judgement of the court as the final settlement of the controversy,” Ali said.

The Guyana President said he was obliged to point to other inaccurate assertions in President Maduro’s letter.

Ali said, “He refers to oil concessions ‘in a maritime area yet to be delimited’. I point out that, contrary to that misleading assertion, all of the oil blocks are located well within Guyanese waters under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees coastal states the exclusive rights to the resources in the sea and seabed within 200 nautical miles of their coasts. The oil blocks are all located adjacent to Guyana’s coast and within 200 nautical miles of it,” he explained.

He said to underscore what he termed “the misleading nature of President Maduro’s statement,” it is important to note that in 2015, a significant oil discovery was made by Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited in the Stabroek Block approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana. He said production has since commenced and continues without interference from Venezuela.

The four oil blocks included in the 2022 Licensing Bid Round are farther east of the boundary with Venezuela—and farther from the Venezuelan Coast—than the Stabroek Block.

Later, Dr Ali revealed that he and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna,  discussed recent developments in the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana.

“She spoke of France’s position that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. Minister Colonna also urged Venezuela to refrain from any unilateral action and reiterated France’s commitment to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, including recourse to the International Court of Justice,” he said.

 

 

 

 

PDVSA asked to open base in Essequibo

2023, 12/13

Rafael Tellechea, Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum and President of NOC , PDVSA, urged employees to create bases of PDVSA’ in the disputed Essequibo region which Guyana currently controls

“As one of the most important national companies in our country, we have a significant responsibility of historical scope. I ask all work teams for maximum dedication to create the conditions and lay the foundations for PDVSA Essequibo, a new branch of our industry.”

His statement on X is a response to the recent decree signed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to immediately create the PDVSA Essequibo and CVG Essequibo division with a view to granting a license for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas and minerals in the country in the disputed territory .

This measure from the Venezuelan Government arises after the Consultative Referendum on the Essequibo region on December 3, in which voters said yes five times to questionson the disputed Essequibo region.

Venezuelan newspaper El Ultimas Noticias reported on Tuesday that the Venezuelan Government has already opened an office in the town of Tumeremo in the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, where residents of the disputed region can obtain Venezuelan IDs and passports.

The’ report said: “The director of Venezuela’s Passport Agency, Saime, Gustavo Vizcaíno, and the rector of the CNE (electoral agency), Rosalba Gil, began the operation that estimates to serve about 400 people daily during the conference, which will take place until December 22 and will continue its operations on January 8. 2024.”

The report stated that the new Governor appointed to manage the Essequibo region, Alexis Rodríguez Cabello, indicated that he had held a meeting with representatives of the indigenous communities of the area, in order to continue strengthening the action plan, resolving the most specific needs of the inhabitants of Essequibo.

Last week, due to the initiatives of the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Community of Caribbean States (Caricom), direct talks between Venezuela and Guyana were held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

 

 

 

Venezuela and Guyana prepare for talks

Maduro says he has a mandate but Ali insists sovereignty over Essequibo was not on the table

December 12th 2023 –

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro insisted that next Thursday’s talks in St Vincent and the Grenadines between him and his Guyanese colleague Irfaan Ali were the direct result of the Dec. 3 referendum and, hence, an achievement of the Venezuelan people.

The head of state ratified that his country will never recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and therefore direct conversations between the two governments over the oil-rich Guyana Essequiba were due.

The Venezuelan leader said on TV,. “We achieved that face-to-face dialogue, it is a great achievement of the people of Venezuela, of the will, of the exercise of the sovereignty of the people of Venezuela. It is one of the first great achievements of the historic step of December 3, because this is solved by talking. I have said it in every way I can say it.”.

He said he told United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres about Venezuela’s decision not to recognize the ICJ any jurisdiction to settle “the dispute of the Guiana Essequiba.”

Maduro mocked “cantaletas” (tantrums) by US oil company ExxonMobil which tried to prevent the referendum from taking place: ”Guyana even went to the International Court to ask it to take away the right to vote of the Venezuelan people, and the anti-patriotic right-wing (…) here in Venezuela went out to say that the referendum should be suspended. Then they said ”it was not binding. but ”we demonstrated with the Constitution in hand (that) it is binding, it is obligatory, it is a mandate. And the last chant that the ultra-right started (…) is to give orders to Venezuela to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice as binding.”

119 countries (61% of UN members) do not recognize a mandatory jurisdiction to the ICJ, including France, Guyana, and the United States.

Ali ratified that Guyana’s stance regarding the Essequibo was non-negotiable and that there would be no compromise with Venezuela since the case is still before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), despite which he has agreed to engage in talks with Maduro.

“This matter is before the ICJ and that is where it shall be settled. There are no negotiations on this, there’s no compromise on this. As you’re aware, the ICJ has already issued orders that called on Venezuela to ensure that the status quo remains. We are tremendously proud of the level of partnership, the expanded partnership, the strength of our partnership,” with allies. Guyanese are committed to peace; we are committed to every action that will ensure that this region remains a region of peace and a region of stability. We have a commitment to this region to work together to ensure the prosperity, the stability of our region. We have no objection to any conversation with Venezuela with the aim of ensuring the stability of our region.”

Ali insisted, though, that the border controversy was explicitly laid out in the 1899 Arbitral Award, and through the Geneva Agreement of 1966, the ICJ was designated by the UN Secretary-General as the appropriate body for the resolution of this issue. Guyana is open to actions fostering positive relationships between the two countries.

“I made it very clear to them that we have no objections to a conversation, but on the issue of the border controversy, our position is very clear. In the interests of regionalism, in the interests of peace and stability and good neighborly relations, the coexistence of two countries sharing a border, Guyana is always up for any actions that will enhance relationships. I made it very clear that on the issue of the border controversy, Guyana’s position is not negotiable… we expect that good sense will prevail and the commitment to peace and stability will be maintained, and the threat of disruption will cease.

I assure all Guyanese, all investors, our development in all administrative regions, all three of the counties will continue unimpeded. [We will] continue to push our investment or investors to work aggressively to bring prosperity to our country and by extension to our region. Let us understand that as a nation, as people, once we stand on the side of principle and stand for what is right, with our good friends and allies, who we also pray for, we will always be victorious.”

Boundary history

 COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.

With unequivocal support of Caricom, almost 100 per cent of the English-speaking Caribbean back Guyana’s position..

The Paris Arbitral Award of 1899, granted Essequibo to British Guiana. The Mallet-Prevost memorandum led to the Geneva Agreement (1966) signed by Britain and Venezuela before Guyana gained independence which outlined the steps to resolve the dispute within four years.

The Port of Spain Protocol (1970) signed at the end of the agreed four years of the Geneva Agreement froze parts of the agreement for 12 years. In 1982, Venezuela refused to ratify an extension of the Protocol, bringing the original 1966 agreement back into effect.

Democratic Guyana covers 83,000 square miles Essequibo (62,000 square miles) has been in Guyana for 58 years and should remain there as totalitarian Venezuela can barely control its massive area of 353,841 square miles, abounding in resources as millions flee repression, hunger and persecution.

 

 

 

Guyana to discuss peace, respect for law with Venezuela

Dec 11, 2023

Although observers advised against a meeting, President Dr. Irfaan Ali accepted an invitation by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves for dialogue with the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

The two states are before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution on the border controversy. Venezuela claims mineral-rich Essequibo, but Guyana argues that this matter was already settled through an Arbitral Award in 1899 that has long been accepted by Venezuela.

With tensions deepening as Venezuela announced measures to seize the territory, regional bodies sought dialogue with the Guyanese and Venezuelan Presidents.

President Ali in his acceptance of the invitation informed Prime Minister Gonsalves that while Guyana is open to discussions with Maduro, the subject of the border controversy will be off the agenda.

The Guyana Head made it clear in his correspondence to Gonsalves of December 10, 2023 that the talks should be focused on peace, respect for international law and avoidance of threats.

“I will be there in answer to the call by colleague CARICOM Heads of Government on 9 December, 2023 for appropriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful coexistence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.”

St. Vincent’s Prime Minister in his letter to Guyana’s Head of State, dated December 9, 2023 stated, “The leaderships of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consider that it is necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening of a meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., between the Presidents of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on matters consequential to the border controversy between these two great countries.”

President Maduro also accepted the invitation for talks with Guyana.

President Ali in a subsequent address to the nation, made it clear that there will be absolutely no compromise on the border controversy amid tensions in Guyana on the scheduled engagement with Maduro.

“This matter is before the ICJ and that is where it shall be settled. There is no negotiation on this, there is no compromise on this…we have committed ourselves to international law and that will not change.”

President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and every action geared towards achieving this objective. Guyana has no objection to any conversation with Venezuela that does not include the border controversy, presently before the ICJ.

The President was keen to note that the 1899 Award by the International Tribunal not only provided a full and complete settlement to the border dispute over the Essequibo region, but the Geneva Agreement also allowed for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) to determine a place where this controversy can be settled. Consequently, the UNSG determined that the ICJ is that place and Guyana remains committed to that legal process and the outcome.

With the matter still pending before the World Court, Venezuela on December 5, 2023 announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media report that the Maduro regime announced it will grant concessions in Essequibo and have given companies within the area three months to vacate. Venezuelan authorities presented a new map which shows Essequibo being part of Venezuelan territory.

These acts are in blatant defiance of the ICJ’s orders on December 1, 2023. The Court had instructed Venezuela that it should not take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over Essequibo. It instructed both nations to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.

 

 

 

 

Russia warns against foreign interference in Border crisis

Dec 09, 2023

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova warned against foreign interference in the Guyana/Venezuela Border controversy. The Russian Federation is following developments around Essequibo, considering the results of the December 3 consultative referendum in Venezuela on the status of this area and legal steps following this event.

“In our view, this is a matter of Venezuela-Guyana relations and should be settled in a neighbourly way by finding peaceful mutually acceptable solutions in accordance with international law, bilateral agreements and national legislation. We believe that the priority in the current situation is to reduce tensions and strengthen trust between Venezuela and Guyana. We urge them to refrain from any actions that may unbalance the situation and harm both sides.”.

Russia opposes “foreign pressure and interference in the affairs of sovereign states, especially when it comes to delicate issues requiring caution from third countries at both public and private level.”

It reaffirms its principle that Latin America should remain “a zone of peace,” as the CELAC countries announced at the Havana summit in 2014.

“We support the efforts to enhance regional unity and welcome Latin American and Caribbean countries consolidating their position as an influential centre of the emerging multipolar world,” Zakharova noted while stating that Russia welcomes the December 6, 2023 telephone conversation between Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd and his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil.

“We hope they will continue such contacts.”

On Tuesday, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced that he would take a number of steps to take control off Guyana’s Essequibo region, in clear defiance of an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stand down. Maduro said he has instructed his regulators to create a mining conglomerate as well as an oil company that would be in charge of issuing licences for companies to operate in the Essequibo area.

He instructed that a special law be drafted that would essentially bar companies from engaging with ExxonMobil and other companies in the area. He announced, that companies have three months to exit the area. In light of such troubling measures, Guyanese authorities have approached the United Nations Security Council to help compel Venezuela to comply with the ICJ’s orders. The World Court has also been notified of Venezuela’s disobedience.

 

 

 

Venezuela prods BP, Chevron to revive project near Trinidad, Guyana

December 9, 2023

HOUSTON/CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela has begun contacting energy firms involved in an long-idled offshore gas project to push them to begin new exploration and operations near its maritime border with Guyana, five people close to the talks said.

The request to act on blocks that have not been touched in more than a decade comes amid an escalating territorial dispute with Guyana that has rattled the country and led to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wants state oil company PDVSA, and oil majors’ BP , Chevron and Shell to revive an offshore project with some 8 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves.

Called Plataforma Deltana, the discoveries were never developed amid insufficient capital, an unfinished sharing effort with Trinidad and Tobago into whose waters the field extends, and a lack of clear rules for investment.

In 2019, both countries authorized Shell to develop Trinidad’s portion of the largest reservoir, called Manatee, with a final investment decision expected next year and gas output to start in 2028.

Recently, Maduro has backtracked on that decision, telling Trinidad’s government in public comments in September that the fields should be jointly developed. His government and PDVSA started tapping companies to weigh their interest.

Chevron was the only company that completed exploration in Plataforma Deltana, certifying 7.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of recoverable gas and declaring two of Venezuela’s five blocks commercial in 2010. It never took steps to begin production.

Russia’s Rosneft in recent years explored another block but did not complete work in the area, while TotalEnergies and Equinor returned one block to Venezuela after a non-commercial discovery. One of the five blocks was never awarded.

“They are talking about working at blocks 2 and 4, which are the most advanced ones,” one source said.

On Trinidad’s side, those two blocks extend to Shell’s Manatee project and to BP’s Manakin shallow water block, both of which are moving to development and production design.

BP and Trinidad’s government expect to begin negotiations with Venezuela to jointly produce gas at Manakin upon completion of discussions for Manatee, which have already started.

Chevron has been in talks with Venezuela about its license.

Venezuela also made initial contact with Australia’s Melbana Energy which operates in Cuba. The discussions could lead to a seismic contract for the less explored blocks, one of the people said.

Venezuela’s oil ministry, Trinidad’s energy ministry, PDVSA and Melbana did not reply to requests for comment.

BP views the Manakin field as an important part of its future area development plan, even though it had been unable to progress work there.

“Since the temporary lifting of sanctions by the U.S. government, BP has been in early talks with the Trinidad and Tobago government assessing the opportunity to recommence development planning,” the spokesperson said.

Chevron did not provide an immediate comment. Shell declined to comment.

TRIPLE INTEREST

Plataforma Deltana is the closest energy project that Venezuela has to waters in dispute with Guyana. Both nations have drawn maritime border lines that cross offshore oil and gas areas in the other’s claimed territory.

The north portion of the Stabroek block, a massive area in development by Exxon Mobil CNOOC and Hess under license from Guyana, extends into Venezuelan waters, according to Maduro’s government. One of Plataforma Deltana’s blocks extends into Guyana’s claimed waters.

Venezuela’s oil ministry and PDVSA have worked since 2016 to outsource 2D seismic data collection and map areas including the Esequibo and the Isla de Aves territory in the Caribbean, which are in dispute with Guyana and Dominica, respectively, said Antero Alvarado, managing partner of consultancy Gas Energy Latin America.

“Venezuela has not completed seismic work in a very long time. The urgency of doing it now comes amid the dispute with Guyana and its renewed interest to export gas to markets like Trinidad,” he said.

The territorial dispute with Guyana is being discussed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which this month ordered Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter the situation with its neighbor. That came after Maduro’s government held a vote on a referendum asking Venezuelans whether they accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction on the issue. They did not.

Maduro this week said he would authorize oil and mining exploration in the disputed areas with Guyana, but did not elaborate on locations or projects. PDVSA and state industrial conglomerate CVG were asked to create specific divisions for that purpose.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali this week said Maduro’s actions were in blatant disregard of ICJ orders and an imminent threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity.

The request to act on blocks that have not been touched in more than a decade comes amid an escalating territorial dispute with Guyana that has rattled the country and led to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wants state oil company PDVSA, and oil majors’ BP BP.L, Chevron CVX.N and Shell SHEL.L to revive an offshore project with some 8 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves.  Recently, Maduro has backtracked on that decision, telling Trinidad’s government in public comments in September that the fields should be jointly developed. His government and PDVSA started tapping companies to weigh their interest.

Chevron was the only company that completed exploration in Plataforma Deltana, certifying 7.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of recoverable gas and declaring two of Venezuela’s five blocks commercial in 2010. It never took steps to begin production.

Russia’s Rosneft ROSN.MM in recent years explored another block but did not complete work in the area, while TotalEnergies TTEF.PA and Equinor EQNR.OL returned one block to Venezuela after a non-commercial discovery. One of the five blocks was never awarded.

“They are talking about working at blocks 2 and 4, which are the most advanced ones,” one of the sources said.

Called Plataforma Deltana, the discoveries were never developed amid insufficient capital, an unfinished sharing effort with Trinidad and Tobago into whose waters the field extends, and a lack of clear rules for investment.

In 2019, both countries authorized Shell to develop Trinidad’s portion of the largest reservoir, called Manatee, with a final investment decision expected next year and gas output to start in 2028.

 

 

 

Exxon not backing down

Dec 12, 2023

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited said that it is not backing down from its plans to develop the 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources discovered in the Stabroek Block. The statement is a stinging response to recent threats by Venezuela’s President, Nicholas Maduro for Exxon and others to exit the Essequibo Region.

An unfazed Exxon said: “We are not going anywhere. “Our focus remains on developing the resources efficiently and responsibly, per our agreement with the Guyanese Government.

Maduro gave a three-month ultimatum after he held a referendum on December 3, 2023 to annex Guyana’s Essequibo, 11 percent of the electorate supported it.   Maduro then announced controversial measures to advance his quest for Essequibo control, instructing his administration to open two state-owned divisions to explore for oil, gas, gold and other minerals. He instructed parliament to pass a law that would allow governing of the region, making it a new state within Venezuela.

In Guyana President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall urged companies to ignore Venezuela’s threats. They have all said, if Venezuela continues along this reckless path, then Guyana can request sanctions.

Guyanese authorities informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of Venezuela’s disregard for its provisional orders which state that no action should be taken to alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. The United Nations Security Council has been informed of Venezuela’s actions.

Since oil was discovered in the Stabroek Block, Venezuela engaged in aggressive tactics which included the deployment of troops near the border and threatening statements to deter investors from partaking in Guyana’s maiden auction.

Guyana authorities maintained that they will zealously protect every inch of their territory and nothing shall stymie Guyana’s development. Exxon, in partnership with Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, was able to bring three oil producing projects on stream. The Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects currently produce about 400,000 barrels of oil. The Payara Project which started producing in November, is expected to push output to 600,000 barrels of oil per day.

Yellowtail and Uaru, the fourth and fifth projects, are in progress and will each have a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The operator is currently working with the Government to secure regulatory approvals for a sixth project at Whiptail. In total, six FPSOs with a gross production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day are expected to be online on the Stabroek Block by the end of 2027, with the potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the estimated gross discovered recoverable resources of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

 

 

 

‘Guyana isn’t standing on its own’

December 9, 2023

Exxon believes international law, court process will be respected

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Guyana, Darren Woods has said that Guyana isn’t standing alone amid Venezuela’s aggression to assert claims to the country’s Essequibo region.

Woods during a news appearance on CNBC on Thursday said while the controversy is between the two nations, Guyana is supported by many international partners and has engaged the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“I’m not sure Guyana is standing on its own. We have all seen what happens when nation’s sovereignties are challenged and unilateral actions are taken. The world and the outside communities have grown pretty sensitive to that so my expectations are there is broader support in the international community to make sure that the right process is followed resolve this dispute.”

Following a controversial referendum in Venezuela, the Maduro Government has intensified its aggression and its claims, despite an order from the ICJ to refrain from any action that will cause unease or change the status quo. Maduro has however declared a resounding victory claiming that millions of Venezuelans voted in support of the Bolivarian state’s claims to Essequibo , an area which accounts for two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is rich in oil, gold and other resources. He has since given an ultimatum to oil companies and investors operating offshore Guyana’s territory to pack up shop.

He ordered that a new map of Venezuela, which now includes Essequibo be displayed across the country. The defiant Venezuela government ordered that an administrative body be established and licenses for oil, gas and mines exploration be issued.

Questioned on Exxon’s position, Woods said: “From our perspective, we know what we have to do, need to do in the country, to develop those resources economically, environmentally responsibly and do what we have been contracted to do.”

Maintaining that Guyana has the right to pursue development in every inch of its territory, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the evolution of the economy will not stop.

“If we pause any of our development, Maduro succeeds. Maduro has no right in international law to tell the people of Guyana, [a] sovereign country, how to pursue its affairs. And that is why we are forging ahead with our development in all 83,000 square miles,” he told media.

Government will not become “paralysed” and fall prey to the Bolivarian Republic’s tactics. Attention will not be diverted from what it was elected to do, which is bettering the lives of all Guyanese.

“We’re focused on the economy; we’re not taking our eyes off of the economy.”

The 2023 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report stated that Guyana’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to continue its rapid growth. Guyana achieved the highest real GDP growth in the world in 2022 of 62.3 per cent. The economy has tripled in size since the start of oil extraction (end of 2019). In the early 90s it had one of the lowest GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean. Guyana’s economy could record a 38.4 per cent real GDP growth this year, and grow another 26.6 per cent in 2024.

Oil production is growing, with a third oil field, Payara, coming online, and growth in the non-oil sector is supported by the implementation of a fast-paced public investment programme focused on providing transportation, housing, and flood management infrastructure, and raising human capital.

 

 

Venezuela and Guyana agree to high-level meeting

By Abel Alvarado, December 9, 2023  -CNN

Venezuela and Guyana agreed to a high-level meeting over the status of resource-rich Essequibo following a flurry of diplomacy their leaders, as well as Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, St. Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.

Following a nationwide referendum last week, Venezuela threatened to proceed with plans to annex densely-forested Essequibo, the size of Florida, making up about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Venezuela has long insisted that it has a historical claim to the region, which Guyana rejects. Current borders were set in a 1899 ruling by international arbitrators.

The proposed meeting would take place on December 14 in St. Vincent and Grenadines, according to a letter shared with CNN sent to both presidents by Gonsalves.

The letter describes an “urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-to-face.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines said that Brazil’s Lula would be invited to the meeting. Brazil shares extensive borders with both countries and with the disputed territory.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali agreed in principle to a meeting.

“Venezuela expresses its satisfaction and accepts the call to meet with approval and commitment,” read a statement by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday, adding that it ratifies the “historical position on the unquestionable sovereign rights of Venezuela” over the Essequibo region.

Guyana said that Ali had accepted to meet, but “reiterated that Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, as it is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and, when adjudicated, will be fully respected by Guyana.”

“The President, on numerous occasions, has made it explicitly clear that the case before the ICJ will not be an issue for bilateral discussions.”

UN chief Guterres previously warned that the stand-off over Essequibo should be settled through “solely peaceful means,” and urged both countries to work with the International Court of Justice. Rosemary Di Carlo, UN undersecretary for peacebuilding and political affairs, briefed the powerful Security Council about the situation on December 8.

The Hague-based ICJ has been reviewing the territorial dispute since 2018 and will hold a trial in the spring, following decades of failed negotiations between the two countries through the UN.

It ruled last month that “Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute.” However, Venezuela does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction on the issue.

Gonsalves’ letters to both presidents says he’s “aware” of each country’s posture and that given where they stand it is “preferable for leaders of nations to speak to each other calmly, respectfully, and with patience, in order to avoid an escalation into threats or the use of force. Time is of the essence. Let us all resolve to make this historic gathering a successful one. So much is at stake for our Caribbean and Latin American civilization.”

 

 

 

Caricom urges de-escalation of conflict

2023, 12/09.

Caricom again urged Venezuela to respect the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in its dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo region, after Caricom Heads of Government met in caucus yesterday to discuss the situation, after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro announced plans to annex the Essequibo following a referendum vote .

After the meeting, Caricom said it firmly supports Guyana in pursuance of the resolution of its border controversy with Venezuela through the process of the ICJ. It asked Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures determined by the ICJ in the recent ruling until a final resolution.

“Caricom reiterates its commitment to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the maintenance of international law. Accordingly, Caricom calls for a de-escalation of the conflict and for appropriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful coexistence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.”

 

 

 

Guyana VP warning on Venezuela

2023, 12/08

Against the backdrop of today’s emergency meeting by Caricom leaders and a meeting of the UN Security Council on Essequibo, Guyana’s vice president Bharrat Jagdeo wisely warned Trinidad and Tobago to be extremely careful with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, since he and his regime are not trustworthy,

“Be extremely careful with the regime—they’re not trustworthy,” Jagdeo added as the overall message to T&T at a media briefing in Guyana, where he discussed heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela on the border dispute concerning Essequibo .

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley would be back in time from London for the Caricom meeting via video conferencing.

Last Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Venezuela should refrain from taking any action which would modify the current situation where Guyana exercises control over the Essequibo region. Caricom upheld that position.

On Tuesday, Venezuela announced measures to enforce the views of its referendum, backing its claim on Essequibo, including reconfiguring Venezuela’s map to include Essequibo, oil and gas exploration in the district and other initiatives, proving Jagdeo right.

Guyana took the issue to the UN Security Council, Caricom, the OAS, Commonwealth and other international forums and countries.

Jagdeo was asked what key lessons Guyana’s issue with Venezuela has for T&T, and what should be taken into account as a business partner for T&T in the Dragon Gas project on which T&T’s hopes are pinned.

Jagdeo said, “Maduro and his regime— they’re not trustworthy and Trinidad would have to be extremely cautious in engaging them. They’re not trustworthy.”

Jagdeo said if Maduro pursues his “crazy plans” further and “miscalculates again,” Guyana will be pushing for sanctions again. Jagdeo thought Maduro got some reprieve on that issue with T&T because Caricom, at T&T’s request, wanted the development.

“So he got that reprieve there, but it’s not going to be business as usual if he allows himself to be misguided again and does anything that goes against the ICJ ruling,” he said.

On today’s Caricom meeting, Jagdeo said Caricom has been very explicit in the statement that the ICJ is the route that will lead to the definitive settlement.

“That’s a unanimous position.”

Some Caricom leaders believe Guyana should “engage” Venezuela to lower tensions.

“Our government has made it clear that any engagement—we’re open to engagement. However, that matter that they were so explicit on, that is not a subject of the engagement because we’re not compromising on that position, which is the ICJ route,” Jagdeo said.

“So many Caricom leaders have been given assurances by Maduro and he’s acted contrary to all of the assurances he gave many Caricom leaders. They thought Venezuela’s referendum would be the end of the matter. So I guess that will be explored in Caricom’s meeting and we have to make the point that he’s untrustworthy,” Jagdeo added.

“If he gave many leaders around the region his word and then they can’t trust him … because many of them reached out saying that would have been the end of the matter. But we’re vigilant, we kept our guard up as we don’t trust Maduro.”

Jagdeo noted the position of some leaders—including Brazil—for the region to remain an area of peace.

“Caricom wants the same. Almost every Latin American country also,” he noted

He said he felt Maduro miscalculated that, given what is happening in Ukraine and Palestine, enough attention will now be paid to his “ambitions” in Guyana.

Jagdeo said the world had to be consistent, particularly in this hemisphere—especially the US and other countries that opposed Russia’s annexation in Ukraine.

He said Guyana has been fortunate in having regional partners in Caricom and Latin America who’ve been robust in criticism of Venezuela but want peace. Guyana was pleased the UN Security Council took up the matter urgently, and the council will have the ICJ’s full ruling and measures, including for Venezuela to refrain from any step that would alter the border.

“We expect the council to deal with this matter swiftly,” he added.

He believes every council member, including China and Russia, will support the provisional measures of the ICJ, a UN body.

“We simply want Venezuela to comply with the ICJ—that the status quo not be altered until the substantive issue is determined, but we’ll work with all our partners, including the US, to ensure that if Venezuela defies the ICJ ruling and they infringe on our territory, or try to alter the status quo, then we just have to defend our country with our partners.”

He said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is pushing against not just international law, but almost the entire international community.

Every single movement Venezuela makes, especially on the border, is tracked and any incursion on Guyana’s areas will be dealt with by its security forces. Jagdeo also discussed yesterday’s US Southern Command flight over Guyana.

He said any award by Maduro’s companies—proposed for the Essequibo—would be seen as an incursion on Guyana’s economy. On Maduro’s measures for oil companies to leave in three months, Jagdeo declared, “Just ignore Maduro.”

Guyana was focused on the ICJ and while it was always open to discussions with countries, Maduro was mistaken if he felt Guyana would return to the bilateral levels that would yield a negotiated settlement.

 

 

 

Maduro silences Cameron

2023, 12/18

After Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali, left, shook hands with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro at a meeting in St Vincent on Essequibo .

As tensions between Guyana and Venezuela appeared to have eased, Venezuelan newspaper, El Nacional reported that President Nicolás Maduro told Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Kingdom, Lord David Cameron, to remain silent and not “talk nonsense” on the issue with Guyana over Essequibo. The region of about 160,000 square kilometres has been part of Guyana but has been claimed by Venezuela.

In a translated quote, El Nacional reported Maduro as saying, “The chancellor of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, had to be slapped because he started talking nonsense. If you failed, David Cameron, you failed, what do you do as chancellor if you fail? Stay quiet. We had to give him his slap.”

He stated the insult in a meeting with the military high command, broadcast on the state channel VTV. Maduro confirmed that the controversy with Guyana “will be discussed, to find solutions”, with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which was agreed in the meeting with his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where they pledged:

“not to threaten or use force under any circumstances.So let no extra-regional actor come to get their hands on this” .

Cameron said that the Minister for Americas and the Caribbean, David Rutley, will visit Guyana in the coming days as part of the efforts by London to ensure that Guyana maintains its sovereignty over the mineral-rich Essequibo region being claimed by Venezuela.

“Sovereign borders must be respected,” and “the UK will continue to work with our partners in the region and internationally to ensure respect for Guyana’s sovereignty.”

Concerned by growing tensions in the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. Canada threw its support behind Guyana in the dispute and is closely monitoring developments following the consultative referendum on Essequibo on December 3, 2023.

Canada “stands with the Guyanese people and government in calling for the application of and respect for international law and strongly supports Guyana’s territorial integrity. Canada salutes the diplomatic efforts of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) members in hosting a dialogue between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on Thursday, December 14, as well as the mediation role played by Brazil and the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.”

Canada reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and seeks a peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the dispute at the International Court of Justice. Canada recognised Thursday’s dialogue as a productive step towards maintaining peace and security in the region and commended all efforts to keep channels of dialogue open in this regard.

 

 

 

 

Maduro’s land grab is a cynical ploy to cling to power

The Observer 10 Dec 2023

The unpopular leader is eyeing nationalist votes by stoking tension over Guyana’s Essequibo .

In an obscure dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, its smaller neighbour, provoking irresponsible talk of war, some things are clear. One is that Venezuela’s far-left, authoritarian president, has deliberately reignited tensions over the issue for personal political purposes.

Maduro, who succeeded his charismatic mentor, the late revolutionary socialist Hugo Chávez, in 2013, faces an election next year that, if it is free and fair, he will likely lose. The cynical whipping up of nationalist, patriotic sentiment is a familiar refuge of rogues lacking better ways to win votes.

It is clear that the dispute, which centres on control of the Essequibo region in western Guyana, a sparsely populated area the size of Greece that constitutes about two-thirds of Guyanese territory, is mainly about oil. In 2015, US oil giant, ExxonMobil, found a big field offshore Guyana, largely within its exclusive economic zone. The discovery has swollen Guyana’s estimated oil reserves to about 11bn barrels. Venezuela has massive oil reserves, too, but mismanagement, sanctions, underinvestment and corruption slashed production. Maduro plainly has his eyes on the lucrative ExxonMobil operation.

Nor may it be argued, despite what Maduro claims, that the legal position regarding Essequibo is unclear. The region was awarded to Guyana in 1899 after international arbitration conducted by the US, Russia and Britain,when British Guiana was a colony.

Venezuela has always disputed this decision, claiming to be the victim of an imperial stitch-up. But it is bound by a 1966 treaty that any disagreement must be settled in a “practical, peaceful and satisfactory” way. In 2018, at Guyana’s behest, the UN referred the dispute to the international court of justice, which is reviewing it. The lever used by Maduro to resurrect the issue as a popular cause célèbre was a referendum.

Citizens were asked to unilaterally reject the ICJ process, declare Essequibo an integral part of Venezuela, and extend mandatory citizenship to its English-speaking inhabitants. The government claims the vote was overwhelmingly in favour but, as is usual in Maduro’s Venezuela, the figures were almost certainly manipulated. Armed with this bogus mandate, reminiscent of Russian tactics in eastern Ukraine, Maduro mobilised troops and taken other threatening steps as a possible prelude to invasion and annexation.

Guyana’s president, Irfaan Ali, appealed for help to the US, the UN and regional neighbours. In response, the Biden administration pledged unwavering support and US military air patrols have increased, Brazil placed border forces on alert, and Britain, a mere spectator despite its former colonial responsibilities, declared Maduro’s provocations were “unjustified”.

It may be that this reaction is exactly what Maduro, fake champion of the masses, hoped to provoke, in order to boost his domestic standing and anti-imperialist credentials. As Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, says, the last thing the world, and South America, needs right now is another war. Regional experts suggest the confrontation is unlikely to lead to all-out conflict, given that would probably hurt Maduro’s shaky regime. But the underlying problem remains.

This problem is not Essequibo, colonial hangovers or greed for oil. The basic problem is Maduro, whose 10-year rule lacked democratic legitimacy from the outset. He began ordering the arrest of opposition figures, including campaign aides to next year’s probable main election challenger, María Corina Machado, allegedly for treacherously conspiring against the Essequibo referendum. While Maduro remains in power, peace and prosperity for Venezuelans and their neighbours will remain elusive.

 

 

 

 

Guyana alert for land grab

Luke Taylor THE OBSERVER Sat 9 Dec 2023

Despite their proximity to Venezuela, inhabitants of the Guyanese border town of Mabaruma have little to do with their Spanish-speaking neighbors, says Brentnol Ashley, governor for the Barima-Waini region. Like other communities dotted across the dense jungles of Essequibo , Mabaruma is a patchwork of indigenous peoples bound together by the English language and Guyana’s national culture.

“We are a diverse nation, but at the end of the day we are all one people: the Guyanese,” said Ashley.

The only Spanish speakers in the riverside settlement are Venezuelans who have sought refuge there in recent years after fleeing their country’s economic collapse.

So when the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, announced that he would issue his country’s ID cards to the local population, and step up efforts to convert Essequibo into a Venezuelan state, local people showed little interest in the offer.

“We are not in need of Mr Maduro’s ID cards! We already have one. We are Guyanese! Even the Venezuelans who have sought refuge here stand with us on this. They do not want to suffer more of the hardship that sent them here in the first place.”

Venezuela laid claim to the oil-rich Essequibo which accounts for two-thirds of Guyana since it gained independence in the 19th century, but Maduro dramatically raised the stakes in the past week, prompting concerns that the authoritarian leader was paving the way for a land grab. Amid growing fears that Maduro is seeking to annex the territory, the US staged a flyover of border region in a show of military strength.

“People are fearful of an invasion. You’re talking about a country with military power and resources against a country of 780,000 people,” said Nazima Raghubir, a journalist in the capital, Georgetown.

At the center of the dispute is an incendiary vote held in Venezuela in which Caracas alleges the public overwhelmingly backed claims to the 160,000-sq-kilometre swathe of resource-rich rainforest.

Maduro hailed the plebiscite a “total success”, claiming that 95% of Venezuelans supported the plans to annex the region and disregard the international court of justice, currently mediating the century-old territorial dispute. Analysts say voter turnout was likely inflated by the government but Maduro used the vote as a springboard to forge ahead with plans to assimilate the region into Venezuela.

Appearing on national television after the vote, he unveiled an enlarged map of Venezuela and announced that he had tasked the national assembly with drafting a law recognising Essequibo as a Venezuelan state.

Maduro ordered national oil company PDVSA to begin exploring the region for oil and appointed a deputy of the United Socialist party of Venezuela, Maj Gen Alexis Rodríguez Cabello, as head of a special military unit overseeing the new state, Guayana Esequiba.

“The Venezuelan people have spoken loudly and clearly,” Maduro told cheering crowds in the capital.

Venezuela has become increasingly vocal about its claim to the territory since billions of barrels of oil were discovered in the region in 2015, and there are fears that the bluster could turn into action. As Venezuela ratchets up tensions, Guyana in turn must respond, prompting anxiety that the countries could find themselves in a loop with no way out. Guyana’s foreign minister, Hugh Todd, said,

“What is concerning to us is that Maduro has given specific instructions, all of which speak to the occupation of our Essequibo. We interpret those actions as a direct threat to our sovereignty and territorial integrity so we obviously intend to send a strong signal to Venezuela that Guyana will protect its territorial integrity.

“We remain on high alert and we are not taking any option off the table.”

Part of the British empire for 200 years until independence in 1966, Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, with closer cultural and political ties with the West Indies than with the rest of the continent. Knowing it could not compete militarily with its larger neighbour, Guyana is expecting its allies – particularly the US – to make it clear they will not tolerate an invasion.

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, cast himself as a mediator in the dispute but he also sent troops to Brazil’s northern border and appears to be running out of patience with Maduro’s sabre-rattling.

“We do not want and we do not need war in South America,” an irritated Lula, as he is known, told journalists.

Venezuela has never occupied Essequibo but it argued that the borders drawn up with British Guiana were the product of corruption.

“Our Guayana Esequiba has been de facto occupied by the British empire and its heirs and they have destroyed the area,” Maduro said before the referendum, using the Venezuelan name for the region.

Maduro’s belligerent campaign is widely seen as a way to drum up support and test his capacity to drive turnout before presidential elections in 2024, when he expects a serious challenge by the opposition leader María Corina Machado.

“He could also just use the alleged looming threat from Guyana and the US to say there are no conditions for an election to be held and cancel it entirely,” said Ryan Berg, an analyst and the director of the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As Maduro ramps up the rhetoric, Guyana’s diplomats are hurriedly traveling to meet representatives of the Caribbean community (Caricom) and going further afield, hoping to secure guarantees that their allies will not allow what Guyana’s president called an “outlaw nation” to invade.

“Guyana is a young democracy and our friends and partners will not stand idly by and encourage that kind of behavior from a failing democracy,” Todd said.

It remain unlikely that Maduro will invade Guyana, said Berg. Launching a conflict would leave Venezuela internationally isolated and risk the US reimposing economic sanctions.

“But the lesson we take away from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is that the rational thing to do is not always what a dictator does.This could end up in some kind of shooting war or minimal land invasion because we’ve seen how things like this can take on a life of their own.”

 

 

 

 

Venezuelan troops will stay deployed until British military vessel leaves waters off Guyana

30 December AP

Venezuelan military officials said Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, that they will continue to deploy nearly 6,000 troops until a British military vessel sent to neighboring Guyana leaves the waters off the coast of the two South American nations

Venezuela said it will continue to deploy nearly 6,000 troops until a British military vessel sent to neighbouring Guyana leaves the waters off the coast of the two South American nations.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, surrounded by military officers in front of a marked up map of Venezuela and Guyana, a former British colony,  said the forces are “safeguarding our national sovereignty. Armed forces have been deployed not just in the east of the country, but across the entire territory. They will be there until this British imperialist boat leaves the disputed waters between Venezuela and Guyana.”

The Defense Ministry confirmed that the video was made at a military base in Caracas, after weeks of tensions between the two countries over Venezuela’s renewed claim to Essequibo in Guyana a sparsely populated jungle.

Operations generate some $1 billion a year for the impoverished country of nearly 800,000 people that saw its economy expand by nearly 60% in the first half of this year.

Venezuela long argued it was cheated out of the territory when Europeans and the U.S. set the border. Guyana, which controlled the zone for decades, says the original agreement was legally binding and the dispute should be decided by the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

The century-old dispute was reignited with the discovery of oil in Guyana and escalated since Venezuela reported that its citizens voted in a referendum to claim Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of its smaller neighbour.

Critics of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro say the socialist leader is using the tensions to distract from internal turmoil and stoke nationalism in the lead up to presidential elections next year.

Leaders of Guyana and Venezuela promised that neither side would use threats or force against the other but failed to reach agreement on how to address the bitter dispute.

Tensions came to another head with the arrival in Guyana of the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Trent, which had been taking part in an anti-narcotic operation near the coast of Guyana. Most recently used to intercept pirates and drug smugglers off Africa, the ship is equipped with cannon and a landing pad for helicopters and drones and can carry 50 marines.

Maduro said the ship’s deployment violates the shaky agreement between Venezuela and Guyana and its presence is a threat to Venezuela . In response, Maduro ordered military — including air and naval forces — to conduct exercises near the disputed area.

“We believe in diplomacy, in dialogue and in peace, but no one is going to threaten Venezuela. This is an unacceptable threat to any sovereign country in Latin America.”

Guyana’ rejected Maduro’s claims, with officials saying that the visit was a planned activity aimed at improving the nation’s defense capabilities and that the ship’s visit would continue as scheduled.

During talks earlier in December, President Irfaan Ali said Guyana reserved its right to work with partners to ensure the defense of. Guyana which has a military of 3,000 soldiers, 200 sailors and four small Barracuda patrol boats . Venezuela has 235,000 active military personnel in its army, air force, navy and national guard.

“Nothing that we do or have done is threatening Venezuela,” Guyana’s vice president, Bharrat Jagdeo, told reporters in Georgetown.

—MEXICO CITY (AP)

 

 

 

Repsol to boost Venezuelan output

Fabiola Zerpa, Bloomberg December 18, 2023

Venezuela and Spain’s Repsol SA signed a new contract for a jointly-run oil venture as the OPEC founder seeks to ramp up production after the U.S. eased sanctions.

Venezuela’s Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea and Repsol’s head for upstream, Francisco Gea, signed an agreement in Caracas that grants the European major more operational and finance controls over their ventures in the oil fields of Petroquiriquire Occidente and Oriente.

Repsol is the third oil giant to sign new agreements with Venezuela since Chevron Corp. was granted a special license to resume production there.    Etablissements Maurel & Prom SA of France also signed a new contract last month.

“This agreement is a continuation of our 30-year relationship with Venezuela,” Gea said at Petroleos de Venezuela SA headquarters. “We’ve been here during different times and hope to still be here in the future.”

Repsol sent a negotiating team to Caracas in recent months to explore options to secure access to heavy crude for its oil refineries in Spain, including new oil fields.

The Madrid-based company is also reviewing long term debt owed by PDVSA for oil and gas sales. It includes debt accrued by PDVSA on natural gas sales from the offshore Cardon IV venture that Repsol runs in partnership with Rome-based Eni. The project produces enough gas to meet nearly a third of Venezuela’s demand, according to Ruben Perez, director at Chemstrategy, an energy consultancy in Caracas.

While easing sanctions has opened a path for oil majors to return to Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro has yet to meet all the terms laid out by the U.S., prompting Biden officials to assess the potential need to reimpose sanctions.

 

 

 

 

Cuba – new development at appraisal well

Melbana and Sonangol under way with Alameda-3 appraisal well

19 December 2023
By Russell Searancke in Oslo

A new appraisal well aiming to confirm a significant recoverable oil resource is under way at Cuba’s promising Alameda field, while development plans are also maturing.

The Alameda-3 appraisal well began drilling on 15 December in Block 9 which is owned by Melbana Energy and Sonangol.

The main objective of Alameda-3 is to test the two deeper and geologically independent Alameda and Marti reservoirs, which were discovered in the two previous wells.

 

Suriname.

SBM and Modec in talks over FPSO for $9 billion TotalEnergies project

Rivals line up Chinese facilities to deliver 200,000-bpd vessel for Suriname’s debut deep-water development

8 December 2023
By Xu Yihe in Singapore

Arch rivals SBM Offshore and Modec are locked in critical talks with Chinese yards about constructing the hull and topsides for a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel at the heart of TotalEnergies’ $9 billion Sapakara South-Krabdagu project in Suriname.

Next year, one of the two FPSO giants will win a major engineering, procurement, and construction contract to provide the 200,000-barrel-per-day FPSO for Suriname’s inaugural deep-water project and are currently pitted against each other in a design contest.

Blocks 63, 64 and 65 are located in the Demerara area in the central northern part of the Surinamese territorial waters, and are located 160 to 355 kilometers offshore in water depths of between 150 and 3,000 meters.

By entering into PSCs in the fairly challenging deep-sea area, the industry’s confidence in the Suriname-Guyana basin and in Staatsolie has once again been confirmed.

Staatsolie’s Shallow Offshore 2 Bid Round is currently underway for eleven blocks in the shallow sea area, the so-called shallow offshore. This area is located south of the deepwater oil and gas discoveries and north of Staatsolie’s production fields in the Saramacca district and has water depths of up to 150 meters.

This tender round also fits in with Staatsolie’s strategy to have as much area as possible under contract with international parties.

Also, in line with this strategy the 4th Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition will once again be hosted by Staatsolie on the 4-7 June 2024 in Paramaribo, Suriname under the theme, ‘The Next Stage of Success’.

The summit is the largest and leading energy and offshore event in Suriname and welcomes all international oil and gas companies, current operators, licence holders and the entire oil and gas supply chain to Paramaribo in June.

 

 

 

 

Geothermal opportunities

2023, 12/17

ANSA McAL CEO Anthony N Sabga III and Kenesjay Green’s founder Philip Julien participated in a panel discussion at the Caricom Pavilion in Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 4.

As the sun set on COP28 and negotiators went back and forth on the language in the communique to phase out fossil fuels, the Caribbean had already taken a massive step towards a greener future. Over a week before, regional conglomerate, ANSA McAL, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kenesjay Green Ltd to pursue green opportunities that are both available and needed across the region.

ANSA McAL’s Group CEO, Anthony Sabga III, flew to the United Arab Emirates to sign the MOU with Kenesjay’s founder and chairman, Philip Julien.

“It’s my first time attending a COP and it’s really quite inspiring to see the magnitude of this global effort and just seeing how we, as a region and the ANSA McAL Group in its own way, can play part in that,” the Group CEO said in Dubai.

With Dominica well on its way to pursuing geothermal energy, Sabga said the partnership with Kenesjay offers a pathway for regional energy integration, something that is sorely needed right now.

“What is clear is the possibility of what we’re collectively working on has opportunity and possibility for the entire chain of Caricom. Some of the geothermal resources that exist are way up in the northern Caribbean. The possibility of bringing that and integrating it into a Caricom-wide grid and utilising that enabled by the possibility of the global market for green hydrogen, that is a magnanimous possibility. Above all else, it creates sustainability not just by using renewable energy but certainly the possibility of supporting the region in its much-needed ability to have foreign exchange to participate in the global economy.”

It’s a view and vision shared by Julien, who launched NewGen in T&T in 2020.

With finance for green projects a critical factor across the region, the Kenesjay chairman said this is a game changer.

“Having that partnership align from inception will allow us to catapult the number of green projects we could develop together.”

The Kenesjay founder has played an integral role in Dominica’s thrust into geothermal energy and was present at the country’s signing of an agreement with the Nevada-based company Ormat in Dubai.

Now, with the backing of ANSA McAL to pursue such endeavours, Julien added, “We see it allowing us to accelerate development of projects within the region. We’ve been working with the government of Dominica for the past two years to help them chart a green hydrogen, green economy, and a green eco-industrial park through the harnessing of their geothermal reserves.

There are also other islands that are awash with surplus renewable energy such as St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and St Lucia and there are also countries that have tremendous offshore acreage that has a ripe potential for additional renewable energy generation through wind, for example, such as Barbados.”

With a vision to be able to integrate these regional green opportunities, Julien said having ANSA McAL “working powerfully” with Kenesjay Green will start to map out collectively what that will look like, where it becomes a synergistic regional green energy economy “that can ultimately turn the Caribbean into a net exporter of green hydrogen to the world.”

While the MOU has been a landmark agreement for the region, ANSA McAL isn’t new to the green movement sweeping across the world. In 2018, the regional group invested in wind farms in Costa Rica.

Three years later, ANSA McAL and co-investor MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund LLC, Grupo Pais Solar SA (GPS) along with two additional minority investors from Canada, indirectly acquired full ownership of the Monte Plata Solar Park in the Dominican Republic.

“We are well on our way and well advanced in our journey,” Sabga said.

In the midst of the global conference, the ANSA McAL CEO was not daunted by what this part of the world can achieve in the renewable sphere.

“The conversation we are having here certainly establishes the Caribbean as a very definitive player notwithstanding our small size as a region, some of the geothermal resources that exist are material and the opportunity to work with the region to tap that for the use of its people and for the use of our economic sustainability for our future, that’s super exciting.”

Sabga hailed what he termed “a huge possibility and opportunity” in the region for green powering and to “realise and utilise some of that energy potential.”

However, Julien added that without the financial backing of the private sector, such undertakings would not be possible to pursue, and the region would be lagging behind in its energy transition.

“The private sector can move at a certain speed that the public sector, for all the right reasons, cannot. The private sector cannot do it alone and the public sector cannot do it alone. ANSA McAL cannot do it alone. Kenesjay Green cannot do it alone. So the more that we see the private sector able to boldly and confidently move into that space of working the projects from inception, the faster this energy transition will be which will ultimately benefit all of us.”

Julien’s vision is for all the Caribbean islands to work together to create an ‘integrated green energy realisation.’

“By that I mean, individually, we have surplus supplies of renewable clean energy from geothermal-rich countries and we have an immediate demand for hydrogen in T&T. Linking those two together will allow us to collectively move into that energy transition space, where T&T could be the beneficiary of green energy from the region which will allow us to start to green our petrochemical industry.” Julien says, adding that in turn, will allow this country to transition to green ammonia and methanol exports.

While at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Sabga also participated in panel discussions regarding energy transition and the move towards green hydrogen.

He found inspiration in delegates from around the world gathering in Dubai to tackle the common threat of climate change “and it lets us know that our purpose to inspire better choices for a better world is the correct direction.”

Julien was also buoyed by the number of Caribbean delegates representing the region in various sectors of the conference.

“It really is a one community and one common cause and there are two messages that I’m seeing; no one’s coming to save us and we can not only save ourselves, we can also help the planet save itself.”

 

 

 

OECS developing geothermal sector

2023, 12/18

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says a recent workshop in Colombia marks a pivotal moment in advancing geothermal projects within the sub-regional grouping.

The Geothermal Energy Decision Makers Workshop, organised as part of the GEOBUILD Programme, focused on enhancing the technical capacity of governments and key stakeholders, setting the stage for accelerated geothermal energy action.

“The workshop gave decision-makers a robust agenda covering geothermal basics, challenges, case studies, and collaborative activities,” it said, adding “the objectives, ranging from highlighting decision-making issues to examining key consultancies under GEOBUILD, were met with notable achievements.

“Decision-making tools were developed, and participants gained insights into government roles, financial partnerships, and project structures. Collaborative group work fostered a better understanding of OECS member states’ needs and the role of key consultancies.”

The St. Lucia-based OECS Commission said that the workshop sets the stage for implementing decision-making tools in geothermal projects, continued collaboration among OECS member states, and the application of lessons learned in future initiatives.

“The emphasis on a comprehensive capacity-building plan and collaboration with regional institutions emerged as critical steps for successful geothermal development.”

Several key lessons learned from geothermal energy exploration initiatives in Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines underscored the importance of regular policy reviews, early capacity building, anticipating infrastructure needs, efficient land acquisition, and robust environmental protection laws.

“As the OECS continues its journey towards a greener energy future, collaboration, transparency, and strategic decision-making will remain key drivers,” it added.

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Dec 18, CMC

 

 

 

 

Barbados initiatives to remove sargassum

2023, 12/20

Barbados will become the first Caribbean country to benefit from deep sea research that could bring solutions to Sargassum inundation by sinking the seaweed to the bottom of the ocean floor.

The island is bracing for another influx of Sargassum from January 1, 2024 and heavy influxes from February.

Scientists from the United Kingdom National Oceanography Centre (NOC), in collaboration with Seafields Integrated Environment Solutions and the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), embarked on a project to understand the potential effects of using seaweed to store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The project is co-funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and is valued at GBP100,000 (One GBP=US$1.26 cents). Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Dr. Leo Brewster told media on board the research vessel, the RSS James Cook, the work was “transformative for the island. This project, in its own self, charts a new way forward globally, and it sets Barbados as being an island state that can actually look at using its strategic location within the ocean as a prototype testing centre for different avenues of marine research. This is something that has not been done before in Barbados.”

He noted that the CZMU and the research section of the Marine Spatial Planning teams worked over the last year to find baseline data, background information, and anything that could speak to the island’s ocean, especially in the deeper waters. The project enhanced that research and presented an opportunity for Barbadians to learn more about deep sea research. He urged representatives from the UWI to form the necessary linkages to explore similar avenues in the future.

“The work that has been done by the James Cook research vessel has been something that will open our eyes to opportunities within the blue economy structure. It will open avenues for us as to how we can develop our marine spatial plan….

“The significance of that is that new information can help guide us to better appreciate the resources that we have, learn more about what is on the ocean floor. That has significance for us,” Dr. Brewster said.

Acting Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Corey Lane, also commended work being done under the project, describing it as being “extremely important”.

“It is how do we treat the Sargassum; how do we treat removing Co2. It is all about compacting it, testing it, and putting it into areas of the ocean that have never been explored before. This is extremely scientific and is pioneering work,” he said, adding that it was a major move for Barbados and the Caribbean, with the potential of having a global reach, if successful.

“We will analyse the findings which will dictate if we can scale it up, the results and technology, if that can be exported to the world. I do believe that some findings and some things we gather from this type of project could be of value to us financially,” he said.

NOC principal marine geoscientist and project lead, Dr. Christopher Pearce, explained that work was done on two sites along the island’s coastline. Those are the west and south-east coasts. The work was conducted on the two sites of 1,000 metres and 4,000 metres water depth within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

“Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that is helping to drive climate change. So, if we could bury the seaweed at the bottom of the ocean, it could potentially lock away some of the carbon dioxide for hundreds and thousands of years.”

He said during those initial investigations, the team also took sediment and water samples and examined some of the animals found within and will return to sink Sargassum between February and April 2024.

He said it will be left for a 12-month period before the research vessel returns to conduct further investigations as to how the bales have changed.

Pearce said that under the three-year project, the seaweed would be deposited to the bottom of the ocean in a controlled manner.

“Countries are looking for ways to dispose of the Sargassum that is washing up on shore. In the Caribbean, there is limited land mass, where it can be problematic to dispose of it on the land itself.

“Some countries are already looking to dispose of it at sea, but we have not been able to get down to the bottom of the ocean to see what effects the seaweed has when it reaches the sea floor, or does it even reach the sea floor.”

Pearce said there was increasing interest in growing or harvesting Sargassum and other seaweeds and intentionally taking them down to the bottom of the ocean to lock away carbon dioxide.

“Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that is helping to drive climate change. So, if we could bury the seaweed at the bottom of the ocean, it could potentially lock away some of the carbon dioxide for hundreds and thousands of years.

“It is potentially a win-win scenario dealing with Sargassum inundation and helping to tackle climate change. But, before we can take this forward we have to understand what the effects are on the deep sea communities and does it actually stay down there. The difficulty in doing this work is getting to the bottom of the ocean.”

British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Scott Furssedonn-Wood, also highlighted the challenges Caribbean countries faced with Sargassum, and noted that the UK was delighted to co-fund the research to assist its Caribbean partners in finding solutions to the regional Sargassum inundations.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Dec 20, CMC