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ExxonMobil to open public consultations for 7th and 8th projects next week
Kaieteur News- While the public has often expressed frustration with the overload of technical information presented by ExxonMobil at its stakeholder engagements, Guyanese will have to contend with two meetings held the same day at the exact venue, to listen and share their views on the seventh and eight projects.
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block, on Monday published two notices in Kaieteur News, inviting the public to attend meetings for the two planned developments.
A citizen (right) shares his concern about the lack of public engagements on oil and gas matters during an ExxonMobil consultation for the sixth project
The first relates to the seventh project- Hammerhead- and will discuss findings from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Stakeholders will be allowed to ask questions at the respective meetings, commencing March 17, 2025 at Flavio’s Hall, Santa Rosa, Region One.
Notably, ExxonMobil has increased meetings scheduled for Region Four, following bitter complaints by the public. Three of the planned stakeholder engagements will be held at the New Diamond Grove Primary School, East Bank Demerara; the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara and the Umana Yana, Georgetown on April 3, April 4 and April 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, two engagements will be held in Region One, one in Region Three, two in Region Five and one meeting each in Regions Two and Six. As previously indicated, the meeting dates for the eight proposed project- Longtail- will be held on the same dates but at different times. According to the Longtail Notice, the proposed project will be implemented in multiple stages which include the following activities: well-drilling and completion, mobilization and installation of subsea equipment, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF), installation of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility, production operations, and decommissioning.
While the proposed project will be undertaken largely in the marine environment, it will require certain land-based support activities such as shore base operations. As a result of the intended developmental activities, possible effects to the environment may include impacts on marine water quality, air quality, marine fauna and socio-economic resources, among others.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that an EIA will be required before it makes a decision on the project. Consequently, in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20.05, Laws of Guyana, the public has been invited to make written submissions to the EPA, outlining questions and matters they wish to be addressed in the study. They will also be given the chance, during the public scoping meetings, to raise these issues and concerns.
ExxonMobil previously faced criticisms for hosting these public meetings as a farce and to merely ensure the company ticked the regulatory boxes before it receives approval.
In the past, citizens were left with more questions than answers, as the team was either unprepared or blatantly refused to address certain questions. During public meetings for the sixth project, it was reported that the first and only Georgetown scoping meeting failed to address several questions.
(ExxonMobil to open public consultations for 7th and 8th projects next week)
(ExxonMobil to open public)
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