No ‘secret’ US$80M payment made; arbitration proceedings yet to advance – Govt – Gas-to-Energy Project

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has rejected claims published in the Kaieteur News that the Government of Guyana secretly paid US$80 million to a contractor involved in the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Government said no such secret payments were made, noting that all disbursements are processed through the Consolidated Fund and reported to Parliament. The statement also addressed assertions that the Government lost an arbitration case tied to the project. According to the OPM, arbitration proceedings have not advanced and no ruling has been issued. While both parties had indicated their intention to pursue arbitration in March 2025, the process remains an available option and has not yet been concluded. Officials recalled that in January 2025, the Dispute Avoidance/Adjudication Board (DAAB) issued decisions that dissatisfied both sides. However, the contents of those decisions remain confidential, in keeping with established procedures.

The Government further noted that changes occurred within the contractor consortium in mid-2025, when Houston-based company Lindsayca acquired full ownership of the project company after taking over shares previously held by CH4 Systems LLC. The entity now operates as Lindsayca Guyana Inc. According to the statement, construction activity at the Wales site has progressed since late 2025. More than 8,000 piles have been installed and over 18,000 cubic metres ((m³) of foundation work completed. Approximately 800 workers are currently employed at the site, with some operations continuing around the clock. The Government reported that major components of the project are advancing, including the placement of four gas turbines and substation transformers on their foundations. Infrastructure to transport gas to the natural gas liquids facility and power plant is also being installed, while shipments of NGL storage tanks have begun arriving. The OPM maintained that the project remains active and ongoing, while reiterating that claims of secret payments and a concluded arbitration loss are inaccurate.
Only last week, United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot reiterated that work is being done on the GTE project around the clock to meet its deadlines. The GtE Project is funded through national budgets and a major approved US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank loan of over US$500 million, with Lindsayca Guyana Inc as the company executing the construction. However, there have been some delays in the construction phase, but speaking with News Source Podcast “Sources”, Ambassador Theriot said she is not too worried about not meeting the deadline and related that the company moved about six months ago to 24-hour shifts.
She added that with the 300 megawatts (MW) added to the grid, it will also reduce the pollution caused by diesel and heavy fossil fuels. Last month, the first pipe rack, which will support pipelines transporting natural gas from the offshore pipeline system to the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant and the power generation facility, arrived in Guyana.