Opposition in support of bilateral agreements to develop oil blocks

Jul 31, 2025 News

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…but says allocation must be transparent, help bolster national security

Kaieteur News – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has expressed support for the development of oil blocks offshore Guyana through the proposed government-to-government arrangement, but they insisted any allocations must be done in a transparent manner.

“We are open to the prospects of intergovernmental partnerships to develop oil blocks, but we believe that should only be done in the event that Guyana’s national security can be bolstered. It is important always that transparency and accountability are at the forefront when it comes to the allocation of oil blocks, as we have seen serious questions under the PPP in the past,” Economist and APNU’s spokesperson on oil and gas, Elson Low has said.

Back in October 2022, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had disclosed that his government has set aside certain oil blocks which would be used for government-to-government partnerships. He had made the disclosure during a press conference he held with British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, when it was announced that the UK was granting visa-free travel to Guyanese.

At the news conference Ali had refused to divulge further details on which specific blocks were set aside as well as what special purpose vehicle would be used to represent the State’s interests in such matters. He did pledge however to distill such details at the appropriate time. The President had said the development followed engagements that were had earlier that year with former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as regards energy security.

Ali said, “The specific discussion I had with Boris was in relation to energy security for the UK. As you know, we have some blocks that we are going to auction off very soon. And we have some blocks that are set aside for what is termed government to government partnerships. We are looking at all our strategic partners with these blocks.”

The President added, “We also have some natural gas fields. We have not completed the national gas strategy as yet but in that strategy, more opportunities will be opened up.” Ali said over all that his intention is to ensure the UK is able to play a role in Guyana’s energy transformation while continuing with efforts that will place the new oil producing State as a global leader on climate change, energy and food security. Since the discovery of oil in 2015, the Guyana offshore basin has seen unprecedented development, with Guyana setting a new paradigm for expeditious development of oil and gas resources.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo last week confirmed that the government was still pursuing this initiative. At his weekly press conference this publication asked for an update on the matter and whether it will be prioritised if the PPP/C is reelected, Jagdeo explained that the government is still looking to go in that direction but it must yield good results for the country, in the sense that good deal must be cemented with people who are experts in the field. “So maybe a Qatar or a Kuwait or one of those countries that have long experience in this regard. So, it’s still on the card,” he added.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment Low said that auctioning of the oil blocks remains the best way. He said “the PPP’s move away from this is concerning.”

For its part, the AFC Chairman, David Patterson told the media last Friday that if elected to government they will revisit the Petroleum Activities Bill as well as the existing Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). “We will then hold open and transparent auctions for the oil blocks in the Stabroek Block and elsewhere, offshore and onshore. So (the) commitment I can give to you is that we will review everything,” he said.

Patterson added that in government the AFC will be looking to better every aspect governing the oil and gas sector including legislation to make it more compatible and transparent to suit a modern Guyana. “We will have auctions, internationally, done by credible agencies to award blocks for the country,” he added.

The politician went on to remind the media that in June 2015- 2020 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was intent on internationalising Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “I think that directly we made a direct offer between that period of time, I can recall to PetroBras in Brazil to do joint explorations. We made offers to Trinidad, our CARICOM, brothers and sisters, to join us in internationalising the EEZ, our oil blocks, because we felt it was better to have an international presence of persons, like-minded countries, supportive countries in the oil block,” he said.

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• APNU, Bilateral agreements, David Patterson, Elson Low, Oil blocks, transparent

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