Six days later, Exxon is still mothering on a torch
ExxonMobil Government and Public Affairs Adviser Janelle Persaud.
Kaieteur News – The public is waiting for a meaningful update from ExxonMobil Guyana on the ongoing pollution of the atmosphere by blazing in its operations.
Six days ago, ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) announced a “technical” issue in Liza’s Phase One production operation. The report considered a problem with a seal on the gas compressor on the Liza Destiny Float Production, Storage and Unloading (FPSO) ship. Calling the incident unfortunate, ExxonMobil said it had to temporarily increase torching over pilot levels in order to maintain safe operations.
This was déjà vu for many Guyanese; they had heard a very similar report in January last year. Following that report, the oil company went on to flame gas year-round, racking up total flame volume well in excess of 12 billion cubic feet of gas.
This time, when Janx Persaud, ExxonMobil’s government and public affairs adviser, sent the report to media executives, they responded with pointed questions on how much gas is flared daily and about the rate of oil production.
Six days later, no questions were answered by ExxonMobil, nor was Persaud or anyone from the company updated.
ExxonMobil has not indicated an intention to hold a press conference, to present media questions and adequately inform the public about Exxon’s pollution in the atmosphere.
The only statement from any Exxon executive that the public were allowed to contend with was the country’s President, Alistair Routledge, saying “We are disappointed that this unexpected matter has happened and we are working diligently with the shipowner and seller the tools to understand and fix the issue as soon as possible. “
Similar commitments were made last year, followed by broken deadlines.
The public is concerned that ExxonMobil will go on to flame another 12 billion cubic feet of gas this year. Even the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called on the government to hold the oil company to account.
However, the Government has indicated that there will be no penalty for torching Exxon and that it will be allowed to produce without any curtailment under government order. This means that if the status quo continues, ExxonMobil will quickly flash more gas in 2021 than it did last year.