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A lesson for Guyana: Chevron sued for leaking oil wells in Texas, decommissioned 30 years ago Aug 18, 2024 News Hawk Dunlap (left) and Sarah Stogner inspect a plugged well at Antina Ranch on April 10. They have found widespread evidence of contamination at the old well sites. Credit: Mitch Borden/Marfa Public Radio Kaieteur News – Ashley Watt, the owner of a 22,000 acres ranch that sits above roughly 330 oil wells, has sued American oil company Chevron for dozens of leaking oil wells that have contaminated the land and groundwater on the Texas property. Watt, who inherited the ranch from her parents, filed a lawsuit in the 109th District Court in Crane County against Chevron and other oil companies in December 2022. She alleges that the multinational and smaller companies failed to properly plug and abandon wells on the property. She argues that old wells are now leaking. Watt said, “This is a colossal liability that’s going to have to be borne by somebody…whether it’s the companies—or, if they pass the buck—the taxpayers of the state of Texas.” Leaking wells  The lawsuit, according to Inside Climate News, could upend assumptions about plugging oil and gas wells.The common wisdom is that once an oil or gas well is plugged, the chapter is closed. Regulators don’t require operators to go back and check the plugs. Everyone assumes that crude oil, produced water and gases like methane won’t leak from a plugged well. Watt and her team are however documenting how decades-old plugs can fail, with disastrous consequences. She wants Chevron to re-plug and remediate wells on her land. The first sign that something was wrong at Antina Ranch came in June 2021, when the Estes 24 well began spewing toxic water to the surface.The Watt family cattle operation had co-existed with oil and gas drilling for years. Her parents bought the ranch in 1995. The ranch measures half the size of Washington D.C. Hundreds of wells were originally drilled by Gulf Oil in the 1940s and ‘50s. The Standard Oil Company of California purchased Gulf in 1984, rebranding it as Chevron. The multinational took over the Antina assets, including the Estes 24 well. Chevron plugged and abandoned the well in 1995. Estes 24 wasn’t supposed to leak oil or produced water, which is salty, toxic wastewater laced with heavy metals that was supposedly encased underground.Chevron eventually re-plugged the well at Watt’s insistence. But in the process Watt and her attorney, Sarah Stogner, developed what they describe as a deep distrust of the company. They say they set out to find other leaking wells on the property. Aging well casings are collected at a warehouse at Antina Ranch in April 2024. The casings were installed decades ago and have corroded over time, compromising the wells. Credit: Mitch Borden/Marfa Public Radio In the three years since the original well blowout, Watt and Stogner say they have excavated about 90 of the roughly 330 wells on the ranch and found widespread integrity problems. As the scale of their endeavor became clear, they brought on Daniel Charest, an experienced Dallas trial attorney with Burns Charest LLP. “This problem went from being, ‘Oh, there’s a leaky well or two,’ to, ‘There are hundreds,’” Watt said.In December 2022, Watt filed the suit against Chevron and Walsh and Watts Inc., Pitts Energy Co. and Williams Oil Company, smaller oil companies that took over low-producing wells on the ranch. The lawsuit aims to get the wells re-plugged and for Watt to be made whole for the damages to the property. Watt wants the court to find Chevron and the other companies liable for contamination, require cleanup and restoration of the property and require Chevron to pay monetary damages. Carcinogen found  In a filing earlier this year, Watt stated that test results have found constituents on the surface or underground including benzene, toluene, arsenic, radium-226, radium-228, ethylbenzene and xylenes, all heavy metals. She no longer uses well water on her property and has moved all the cattle off the ranch. Benzene is a known human carcinogen; benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes can all harm bone marrow, the central nervous system and the immune system. Watt isn’t the first Permian Basin landowner to report leaking and compromised wells on her property. But she said she is determined to get her day in court and has poured upwards of $1.5 million into the case. She acknowledges that few landowners have the financial resources to litigate such an expensive, contentious case. “This is one ranch, one part of Texas. But the scope of this problem is mind-boggling,” said Charest, the attorney. “There are ranches all across the state that don’t have these resources.” Ashley Watt inherited the Antina Ranch from her parents. She has spent over three years documenting oilfield contamination of the land. Credit: Mitch Borden/Marfa Public Radio Chevron sought to halt the excavations with a court order, arguing they could damage the well plugs and compromise evidence before trial. The company also questioned whether Watt had the authority to excavate the wells. Chevron has also asked the court to compel Watt to disclose the number of contaminated wells and the specific constituents identified at each well. For decades these well plugs were out of sight below the hard caliche soil of the Permian Basin. But now they are key evidence in a case against one of the world’s biggest oil companies. “Chevron has successfully re-plugged wells on Antina Ranch, without any lawsuit or court orders requiring us to do so,” Chevron public affairs advisor Catie Matthews said in an emailed statement. “Chevron will continue to coordinate with the Texas Railroad Commission and respond appropriately to any potential concerns at Antina Ranch.”Matthew declined to comment on the litigation. Safe decommissioning?  “If we want [wells] not to leak, we need to design them to last for the future of humanity,” said Dwayne Purvis, a petroleum engineer and oil and gas consultant at Purvis Energy Advisors. “But I don’t think anybody conceived to do that at any point in the history of the industry.” Purvis said it’s basic economics. A plugged well is no longer a money-maker for oil and gas operators. That means companies try to minimize costs while plugging and have no economic incentive to go back and check old plugged wells. “Oil companies won’t do that until there’s a need to do it,” Purvis said. “And that need is probably going to have to come in the form of regulation.” Bankruptcies are also common among smaller operators, so in many cases there is no corporate entity to hold responsible for an old, leaking well. Oklahoma University petroleum engineer Catalin Teodoriu said that a well plugged in the 1950s or ‘60s would not meet today’s industry standards. But he agreed more research is needed to understand how corrosion and other underground forces can compromise plugged wells. At his laboratory, Teodoriu is studying how different cement well casings age over time. “As in almost every engineering system that we build…. your system will fail sooner or later,” he said. “Nothing is made forever.” A lesson for Guyana  Guyana commenced oil production in December 2019. Hydrocarbons were first discovered by the American oil supermajor, ExxonMobil back in 2015. Currently, three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels are in operation, collectively producing about 645,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). In addition to the three projects that are producing, Exxon and its Co-Venturers have also received regulatory approvals for another three deep-water developments, with a seventh permit pending approval.Each project has a 20-year life span after which Exxon will engage in decommissioning activities. The company has already commenced deducting monies from Guyana’s oil to pay for decommissioning, although it has not yet finalized the decommissioning plan. The company has said it may plug the wells, while the risers used to transport the hydrocarbons to the FPSO could be detached and left on the seafloor. Concerns were previously raised regarding the company’s intent to leave behind its waste behind but Exxon argued that this move could be better for the environment since organisms could have started living on the equipment. Related Similar Articles

AFC believes Guyana’s oil reserves significantly more than 11.6B barrels  Aug 18, 2024 News Former AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan …Challenges Govt. to make quarterly report public Kaieteur News – The Alliance for Change (AFC) on Friday said that it believes the country’s oil reserves are significantly more than the 11.6B barrels that the government claims. At the party weekly press conference, former leader of the party Khemraj Ramjattan said, “in view of all that is happening right now I distrust whatever the government is saying as to what our reserves are. I believe that it is lots more than 11.6B and the government simply doesn’t want us by virtue of this precedent that they are talking about 2014 to call Exxon for us to question Exxon how much more oil they have discovered, because there were obviously about 16  discoveries or so after that big one in Payara in the Stabroek Block.” Ramjattan’s utterance was bolstered and supported by former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Vincent Adams who challenged the government to release the quarterly report presented by ExxonMobil so that the public can examine it for themselves. Ramjattan emphasized the need for citizens to “get these facts from the horse’s mouth, rather than through messages being sent, (saying) it is not more than 11.6 and so on. We can question them on the various finds they made since then and obviously these are major finds too. So it is obviously far higher than 11.6.” Former Head of the EPA Dr Vincent Adams Meanwhile, Dr Adams spoke of the lack of transparency related to the oil sector. He said, “Of course I don’t think it needs a whole lot of convincing from anybody of the non-transparency of this government and you cannot trust anything that they tell you. You know calculating reserves when we say this over and over does not take years. How come when they were doing reserves for the first year or two as soon as they would have discovered, we were getting an update with reserves which is how it normally happens.” He continued: “Yes it is giving a different number even if they are not talking about the billion or the million. They are saying it has only increased by 600M and (CNOOC) is saying I think they made some statement saying seven hundred and something million,” he added. The former EPA head called on NAtural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat to “show us the quarterly report that Exxon sends to them.” He also challenged the government to release the raw data. Dr. Adam’s said his party has competent persons to calculate the data. “It is very easy to calculate as long as you have the data in front of you. It doesn’t take you two years. if they want to be fully transparent we are challenging them to give us the raw data. The data does not belong to Exxon. The data belongs to the Government of Guyana,” he said. Dr. Adams posited that there should be nothing proprietary in the reports provided by the oil company. “There shouldn’t be anything that is proprietary in it, if there is then you can block it out. Show us the quarterly reports and show us the raw data and let us see for ourselves. So that’s the challenge,” he added.In its 2023 annual report that was released this year, ExxonMobil’s partner, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) said that one of the eight new discoveries, Lancetfish, which was discovered in April 2023, averaged 100 million tons, translating to an estimated 746 million barrels of oil. However, the Guyana Government on Wednesday claimed that since the last update in 2022, the reserves have only grown by 600M barrels. The AFC said that the glaring contradiction will further undermine the government’s claim of being transparent in its dealing with citizens in matters related to the oil and gas sector. Related Similar Articles

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31 graduate from GyCCE – YOUthEngage592 Leadership Program Aug 18, 2024 News group photograph of graduates and senior officials including Deodat Persaud, President of GyCCE, Dr. Satesh Basdeo, Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Bartica Branch (seated centre) and RDC Councillor Stephen Bess (seated fourth right). Kaieteur News – Thirty one students and four mentors graduated from the Guyana Centre for Civic Engagement (GyCCE) on August 4, 2024. The graduation ceremony was held at the Palm Spring Conference Room, Bartica, Region Seven. The students and mentors are from the Bartica Secondary School, Three Miles, and the Excel Volunteer Club. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, underscores the growing emphasis on youth leadership and civic engagement in Guyana. Deodat Persaud, President of GyCCE and a fervent advocate for national pride, delivered an inspiring message to the graduates. He urged them to become problem solvers and change agents within their communities, reinforcing the importance of active civic participation in addressing local challenges. The keynote address was given by Dr. Satesh Basdeo, Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Bartica Branch. Dr. Basdeo highlighted the pivotal role of good leadership in driving societal change, stressing that integrity and collective action are essential for achieving meaningful progress. Remarks were provided by RDC Councillor Stephen Bess, who congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments. He encouraged them to continue contributing to societal improvement, emphasizing that their efforts are crucial for the community’s development. The ceremony also featured special recognitions, with Three Miles’ “Bully Stopper Project” receiving the accolade of Most Impacting Project. This initiative was commended for its successful anti-bullying efforts, which have significantly improved the safety and well-being of students within the school environment. In addition, Ms. Davena Mangru was honored with the Best Mentor award for her outstanding dedication to environmental care. Her commitment exemplifies the program’s mission of empowering leaders who are not only skilled but also deeply invested in fostering sustainable community practices. This graduation brings the total number of graduates from the GyCCE’s YOUthEngage592 program to 94 students and 18 mentors from Regions 2, 6, and 7. The success of this program highlights its vital role in nurturing the next generation of civic leaders in Guyana, equipping them with the tools needed to effect positive change in their communities. Related Similar Articles

Duo get pension contributions from Chris Ram after being denied by NIS Aug 18, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Attorney-at-Law Chris Ram (right) handing over his contributions to Julia Clarke and Shariff Zainul on Friday. Kaieteur News – Two pensioners who have been denied old age pension from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will receive the monthly pension amount from Attorney Christopher Ram. The recipients, 68-year-old Julia Clarke and 73-year-old Shariff Zainul, will receive Ram’s contributions, which is equivalent to an NIS old age pension, on a monthly basis. “What I have decided to do is that I will give both of them an NIS pension indefinitely until the NIS starts paying them, if NIS don’t start paying them, then I will continue to pay them,” Ram said at a simple handing over ceremony held at his office on Waterloo Street, Georgetown. In a brief statement to the press, Ram said “You will recall that we met in November 2023, after the Court had ruled that the National Insurance Scheme pay an NIS pension to a 73-year-old former employee of Toolsie Persaud Limited… the NIS appealed the decision and on 26 January this year, the Full Court of the High Court referred the matter back to the Trial Judge. The matter is still pending while Mr. Zainul is deprived of a modest pension for which he contributed for over decades.” In the case of Ms. Clarke, Ram briefed that according to the records of the NIS, she has 739 contributions, which is 11 short of the 750 to qualify for an NIS pension. According to him, Clarke disputes “the poorly kept records of the NIS, providing evidence that her employment with one employer alone, qualifies her for a pension and not a one-off grant.” Like Mr. Zainul she too submitted her pay slips to the NIS. Ram said that in many cases like Zainul and Clarke’s it is incumbent on the Administration to restore public confidence in the NIS by making it “more transparent, accountable and responsive to members of the public generally and to contributors and claimants in particular.” “We implore the Government to immediately withdraw its appeal against the court’s decision in the Zainul matter and to review cases like Julia’s Clarke in an enlightened, humane manner. We also call for the immediate implementation of a sliding scale or partial pension system for persons who have made more than 500 contributions, the equivalent of ten years,” he said. Meanwhile, speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday at Ram’s office, Zainul said that he has been back and forth with NIS since 2011 and in 2019 he decided to take the matter to court. It was reported in the media that last November, High Court Justice Damone Younge ordered the NIS to pay Zainul his full benefits. The ruling was made after Zainul was able to prove to the court that he worked with the company for several years and that the contributions were deducted from his salary. The High Court ordered the NIS to credit Zainul 354 contributions which his former employer, TPL, failed to remit to NIS while he worked there from 1992 to 2000. The NIS was also ordered to pay Zainul his NIS Pension effective October 16, 2011, to the date of his 60th birthday. However, the matter was appealed in December 2023. Meanwhile, speaking of Ram’s contributions, Zainul said that it is going to benefit him significantly. “Right now I only depend on my family and friends, right now I am a sick person I don’t come out often, right now my family and friends does support me. I am getting a pension from government yes, but that’s hardly up keeping me, things are very high, cost of living is very high,” he explained. Clarke told this publication that she has been “running behind” NIS since 2019 about the records of her contributions. Expressing gratitude, she said Ram’s contributions will help to contribute to her medical bills. “I thank God for this age but I am not fully (well) with all of my strength because I am at the hospital, right now they are carrying out some screening I don’t know what it is. Some days I’m up, some days I’m down, pain all over my body. The sickness bill, that old age pension money cannot work. That is why I was running behind this NIS,” she explained. Related Similar Articles

Motorcyclist hospitalized following accident with car Aug 18, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 26-year-old motorcyclist is hospitalized after he crashed into a car at the corners of South Road and Light Street, Georgetown. The car was heading East along South Road when the biker suddenly sped across the intersection at Light Street and crashed into the car. The impact flung him onto the road.  He sustained injuries to his body. He was picked up from and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Ten students benefit from GCCI’s annual ‘Teenternship’ Programme 2024 Aug 18, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Ten students from Camille’s Academy benefit from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) 2024 ‘Teenternship’ programme. The programme is aimed at providing youths with  experiences in the working environment exposing them to leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and management. The orientation of the Program was conducted on Friday at GCCI’s office located on Waterloo Street, Georgetown. According to a press release issued by GCCI, the ten students were assigned to several businesses, including: Guyana Payroll Solutions Incorporated, Rafeek and Moore Customs Brokerage Firm and Logistics Incorporated, Raj Singh Insurance Brokers and Risk Management Consultants Incorporated, Guyana Electric Incorporated, Java Coffee Bar and Bistro, ActionInvest Caribbean Incorporated, Cerulean Incorporated, Technip FMC, and Beharry Automotive Limited. Senior Vice President of GGCI, Kathy Smith, in her welcoming remarks spoke of the importance of the foundational experience that the initiative will provide. “I am so proud to be part of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry to see that this is something we are doing for young people,” she stated. While reflecting on the core principles of the Teenternship, she said, “Leadership is important…becoming a leader is about understanding your area and undertaking it confidently.” Smith further emphasised the role of teamwork in a professional environment and the value of persistence, telling the interns, “There is no door that you are going to that will open by itself you have to knock.” Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer [CEO] and Founder of Camille’s Academy, Camille Deokie-Gorakh in her charge to the interns underscored the privilege that they have benefited from in being part of the programme. She said, “Today as you embark on a journey that holds the potential to shape your future in profound way through the Teenternship Programme held by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, just know that it is not just a programme, it is an opportunity to learn, grown, and become the professionals you want to be.” Meanwhile, Chairperson of the GCCI Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee,  Evie Kanhai- Gurchuran, who is spearheading the Teenternship, encouraged the businesses to tap into the fresh perspective that is available through the interns. “I challenge you to think about their perspectives, I challenge you to not just think of them as students that are now around your offices but really take their opinion to get a fresh perspective in your workplaces,” she stated. GGCI concluded in its statement, “The one-week internship programme is part of the lead-up activities to National Small Business Week, which is slated for September. It provides students with hands-on work experience, with an opportunity to understand the foundational aspects of business and office administration in a wide range of industries. Related Similar Articles