ExxonMobil halts 3D seismic operations offshore Guyana

…after Venezuelan military forces ship out of area
…Govt condemns “hostile” act; to file complaint with UN
…Opposition gives full support to Govt on sovereignty, territorial integrity

By Jarryl Bryan

ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary has suspended the 3D seismic operations it started only a month ago in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan military on Saturday forced the company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.

The vessel in question is the Ramform Tethys, which is owned by Norwegian company Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS) and contracted by ExxonMobil to carry out tests and acquire seismic data. Speaking with Guyana Times, the company’s Senior Vice President, Bard Stenberg confirmed the encounter.
“Our vessel, the Ramform Tethys, was approached by Venezuelan navy earlier today when it was working on a project offshore Guyana,” Stenberg stated. “We are operating in Guyana under the authority of the Guyana Government.”
In addition, the executive noted that the company has all the necessary permits and documentation required to perform the seismic survey. But as a result of the Venezuelan navy’s approach, he noted that they had to stop what they were doing and head East.
According to Stenberg, however, the Venezuelans have since withdrawn from the area the Norwegian vessel was located.

Hostile
Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge in a broadcast condemned the actions of the Venezuelan military; actions he noted are both illegal and aggressive, having occurred in an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Guyana.
According to the Minister, ExxonMobil reported to them that the Venezuelans intercepted the Ramform Tethys at approximately 10:30h on Saturday morning. Greenidge noted that the vessel had a crew of 70 on board, including the captain.
“The Government of Guyana rejects this illegal, aggressive and hostile act perpetrated by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which once again demonstrates the real threat to Guyana’s economic development by its western neighbour; an act that violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be bringing this latest act of illegality and blatant disrespect for Guyana’s sovereignty by Venezuela to the attention of the United Nations,” Greenidge said. “It is also in the process of informing the several Governments of the seventy crew members of the threat to their safety.”
According to Greenidge, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will also receive formal communication from the Government of Guyana on the matter.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday contacted Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge after receiving information about the incursion and interception of an ExxonMobil seismic vessel in Guyana’s waters by the Venezuelan military.
Jagdeo noted that the Opposition gives its full support to the Government on any matter relating to infringement of Guyana’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Suspended

Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs Diedre Moe revealed in a statement that in the wake of the incident the oil company has decided to suspend its seismic operations in the Stabroek block.
“3D seismic data acquisition of the western portion of the Stabroek Block began this month,” she explained. “At this time, seismic operations on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana have been paused until they can be safely continued.”
According to Moe, the oil company’s main concern is for the safety of the  Ramform Tethys crew members and others who may be in the area. She noted, however, that ExxonMobil is in communication with the necessary authorities.
This incident comes at a time when Guyana has an ongoing territorial integrity case with Venezuela. Since Guyana submitted its memorial on Jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month, a date was in turn set a date for the Venezuelan Government to submit its own counter memorial.
This was revealed only a few weeks ago by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, during his contribution to the budget debates. According to the Minister, April 18, 2019 has been set for Venezuela to submit its counter memorial.
When US oil giant ExxonMobil announced the first of multiple oil finds in local waters in 2015, Venezuela renewed its claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Venezuela has been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found by ExxonMobil, and has since renewed claims to the Essequibo region.
On January 30, 2018, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres concluded that the Good Offices Process – which the parties had engaged in for almost 30 years, but it failed to achieve a solution to the controversy – and chose the ICJ as the next means of settlement, for which Guyana has long been advocating.
Sir Shridath Ramphal and Ambassador Audrey Waddell are assisting Minister Greenidge. The United States has since announced that it supports Guyana’s case.