The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has improved leaps and bounds over the past year, with one such improvement being that it is now conducting real-time monitoring and reporting of oil operations in the Stabroek Block.
EPA issued a statement on Saturday in which they reflected on the past year’s achievements. These include the agency signing a contract with MAXAR Technologies, a United States (US)-based information technology company.
EPA receives real-time reporting from the Liza Destiny FPSO
Through this agreement, EPA noted that it can conduct satellite monitoring. Additionally, it was noted that the EPA has in place real-time reporting on the Liza 1 Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
“Importantly, the Agency is proud to have in place real-time reporting of environmental discharges from the Liza 1 FPSO, and a platform for tracking marine vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
“The Agency is proud to have signed a contract with MAXAR Technologies to have tasked satellite monitoring offshore and onshore including detection of oil spills, slicks and spills,” EPA further explained.
Mention was also made of the agency equipping its staff with state-of-the-art field technology for monitoring and data collection in the form of tough tablets and field phones with thermal sensors and specialised equipment to detect and monitor radiation, water, and air pollution.
“Further, the Agency partnered with Hydromet, Department of Fisheries, and Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) and conducted several water quality monitoring expeditions along the Essequibo River, and our coastal waters.”
“This monitoring provided us with key baseline data of the state of these water bodies, which will inform future management and conservation efforts,” EPA further explained in their statement.
2023 plans
When it comes to this year, the agency said it will be focusing its energies on leveraging science and technology, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, to boost its capacity to regulate and enforce environmental laws.
“In 2023, the Agency is strategically continuing its efforts to become a modern and effective environmental regulator… this will help secure a sustainable low-carbon development future for all Guyanese through effective environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity,” EPA said.
“One of the key plans for the year is to digitise the permitting and compliance process, and complaints process, in order to make them more efficient and user-friendly. The agency is also working on a revamped website and other communication tools to better inform the public and other stakeholders about its work.”
Among the agency’s specific goals are enhancing the environmental authorisation process, supporting Guyana’s low carbon development trajectory, improving enforcement, incorporating the use of more technology, and effective implementation of the various multilateral environmental agreements of which Guyana is a signatory.
Real-time monitoring is a crucial element of regulating the oil sector. Prior to ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) installing its new flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel and reducing its flaring last year, the company had had to pay out over US$10 million in fines to the EPA for flaring.
In 2021, the EPA amended the Environmental Permit for the Liza 1 Development Project after the oil company had been flaring excessively following technical issues with its gas compressor on the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel on two separate occasions in 2021.
Initially, a cost of US$30 per ton of carbon emission was agreed upon, but the fee was then increased to US$45 during discussions with the operator over the August-September 2021 period.
EEPGL is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The company is currently undertaking four production projects – Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara, and Yellowtail in the oil-rich block. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 bpd by 2027.
The US oil major anticipates at least six Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in operation by 2027, with a seventh likely to be added should results from their Fangtooth-1 well appraisal be positive.
