After years of delays, CGX is finally looking to drill in the blocks of Corentyne, Demerara
Kaieteur News – Following several years of delays on their part, CGX Resources Incorporated, is looking to drill wells in the blocks of Corentyne and Demerara – Guyana’s two offshore oil concessions.
According to a notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), applications for Environmental Authorization have been submitted to the regulator for the following projects, “CGX Resources Inc. – Petroleum Exploration Drill (1 Well), Corentyne Block, Offshore Guyana ”and“ Petroleum Exploration Drill (1 Well), Demerara Block, Offshore Guyana. “
Pursuant to Section 11 (2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 10:05, Guyana Laws, the EPA noted that the applications for the projects listed above have already been screened by the agency to assess the environmental impacts “and it has been decided that the projects will not significantly affect the environment or human health and are therefore excluded from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). “
Notwithstanding this decision, the EPA says it will require CGX to prepare and submit an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) for each of the projects. “The EAMP will assess any potential impacts on the environment and / or human health, and detail specific mitigation measures to be taken to ensure that the proposed projects are implemented in an environmentally sound manner,” he said. the regulator.
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act and EPA regulations, the agency reminded that any person who may be affected by any of the proposed projects may lodge an appeal against EIA negligence with the Environmental Assessment Board within 30 days of issue the notice.
Corentyne and Demerara blocks
CGX’s drilling decision comes after years of delays on the part of this Canadian exploration company. In fact, Kaieteur News had reported that since 2012, CGX Resources Incorporated had been licensed for Corentyne Block.
According to the agreement signed with the government at the time on November 12, 2012 for the offshore concession, CGX was supposed to drill at least four wells on the block by 2019. But this didn’t happen. Instead of fully fulfilling its obligations, CGX drilled two wells in 2012, both of which were discontinued – Eagle-1 as a dry hole and Jaguar-1 for safety concerns. Since then, he has promised to drill more wells in search of oil but until recently, he never did.
CGX had even ensured that the previous Coalition administration watered down its work program for the Corentyne block, but the company still failed to honor the new obligations.
Regarding the Demerara Block, Kaieteur News had noted that after having held a license for the offshore Demerara oil block in Guyana for eight years, CGX had failed to drill a single well. What is noteworthy, is that this company claims that Guyana owes it US $ 20M despite no well drilling on Demerara Block.