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Guyana now has one of 13 capping stacks available globally – Exxon Country Manager Jul 10, 2024 News Representatives from ExxonMobil, EPA and GYSBI with the capping stack Kaieteur News – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) on Monday commissioned the country’s first capping stack, one of 13 available globally and one of only two in Latin America. A capping stack is a heavy piece of metal equipment that is placed over a blown out well. It acts as a plug, thereby preventing further flow of hydrocarbons. Country Manager, Alistair Routledge during a simple ceremony hosted at the Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI), Houston, East Bank Demerara noted that the arrival of the equipment underscores the scale of Guyana’s blossoming oil and gas sector. Guyana began producing oil in December 2019 at the Liza One Project. The Liza Two development later came on stream in February 2022, followed by the Payara project in November 2023. The country is now producing over 640,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) at three projects in the Stabroek Block. The cost of the capping stack was not revealed, despite questions being posed to EMGL’s President. He explained, “I don’t have that number at hand but it’s a subscription service so what happens is (Oil Spill Response Limited) ORSL operates this, they maintain it, they keep it ready for deployment and then we pay a subscription fee, based on the wells we are drilling.” The capping stack was designed and built by Trendsetter Engineering- a company that has been involved in the design and development of most of the capping stacks available. It is owned by Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), an industry-funded, not-for-profit cooperative that responds to oil spills. As part of its subscription service with OSRL, EMGL will be able to access the capping stack in record time from the GYSBI location. The company will also have access to OSRL’s fleet of capping stacks across the globe. The capping stack, now in country, measures 22 feet, three inches (height) and weighs 93,000 pounds (42 metric tonnes). The Air Freightable Capping Stack (AFCS) has a pressure rating of 15,000 pounds per square inch; a flow rate of zero to 330,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and depth rating of 12,500 feet (3,800 meters). According to Exxon’s Country Manager, “For ExxonMobil, safety is our top priority. Day in and day out our teams are laser focused on preventing an instance of any size from ever happening, however in the unlikely event an instance should occur, we have state of the art response capabilities in country and the financial resources to meet any clean up requirements.” He said the capping stack was just one example of the in-country technology capability. Routledge also noted that frequent oil spill exercises are often conducted at GYSBI. The capping stack will now play an integral part in those activities according to him. Further, he pointed out, “We are bringing the very highest of standards of facilities and equipment to Guyana, given the unique scale of the operation and the commitment and partnership we have with the people and country of Guyana.” The capping stack will be stored at GYSBI in Houston, but will later be shifted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base, upon the facility’s completion. “Until then, our aim is to ensure that we never actually have to deploy it,” Routledge said. Notably, other oil producing states and companies can subscribe to Guyana’s in-country capping stack. When asked about the cost factor for other operators and countries to be subscribed to the service, the EMGL president told reporters, “The more that participates, the more that we spread that cost.” On the other hand, he said that with the capping stack now in country, the time for the equipment to be deployed has been reduced. Meanwhile, Head of the Oil and Gas Department at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Joel Gravesande in an invited comment told reporters that the arrival of the capping stack stems from a requirement outlined in the Yellowtail development Permit. Gravesande was keen to note that Exxon is not only required to have a capping stack in-country, but also maintain subscription to at least one other.  “Even though they have a capping stack in-country to respond, and it can only cap one well, they are  also required to have subscriptions to other capping stacks…they are also required to ensure that its maintained in Guyana in keeping with international best standards.” Additionally, the Head of the EPA’s Oil and Gas Department noted that the agency recently included a new provision in the Permits for oil response simulations. This enables not only the EPA but other relevant stakeholders such as the government and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to be prepared in the event of an oil spill. Related Similar Articles

Mom jailed for attempting to smuggle SIM card in toothpaste for imprisoned son Jul 10, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A 55-year-old woman was on Tuesday sentenced to 30 days in prison when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The accused, Ingrid Mary Thomas attempted to smuggle a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in a tube of toothpaste for her son who is imprisoned. Ingrid Mary Thomas Thomas appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty where the charge of attempting to supply prohibited articles to a prisoner was read to her. She pleaded guilty. The charge stated that on Monday at the Prison Headquarters, Brickdam, Georgetown around 10:20hrs Thomas visited the Prison Headquarters located on Brickdam, Georgetown to deliver a cartoon box with sanitary items to be sent to her son Bevon Thomas. Bevon is serving a five-year sentence at the Mazaruni Prison for Felonious Wounding. While at the location, prison officials cut opened the tube of toothpaste that was inside of the cartoon box and discovered a Digicel SIM Card concealed therein. The woman was told of the offence and arrested. Related Similar Articles

Nude man found unresponsive in Carifesta Avenue trench dies at GPHC Jul 10, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The unidentified man who was found nude and motionless on Monday in a trench on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown has died, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported. Police said that at 18:45h, ranks from the Brickdam Police Station were contacted about the discovery of the motionless man. The emergency team from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) along with a doctor were summoned. Upon arrival, the team observed a male of African descent lying unresponsive on the road. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was rushed to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment. Police said no marks of violence were observed on the man’s body. His body was taken to the morgue where it awaits a post mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Truck driver on $2.7M bail for possession of marijuana Jul 10, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A 41- year-old truck driver of New Amsterdam, Berbice was on Tuesday granted $2,700,000 bail after he was found with 9.25 kilograms of marijuana. The accused, Reaaz Bacchus The defendant, Reaaz Bacchus appeared before Magistrate Delon Bess at the Diamond/Grove Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded not guilty to the Possession of Narcotics charge. The matter has been adjourned to July 29, 2024. Related Similar Articles

USAID’S Deputy Administrator in Guyana for talks to strengthen local and regional partnerships Jul 10, 2024 News USAID Deputy Administrator, Isobel Coleman Kaieteur News – The United States (U.S.) Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Deputy Administrator, Isobel Coleman is on a two-day visit to Guyana to meet with senior officials of the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The US Embassy in Guyana said that Ms. Coleman’s visit to Guyana serves to reaffirm USAID’s “strong partnership with Guyana and commitment to supporting inclusive economic development, democratic governance, and climate adaptation and resilience in the Caribbean region.” The envoy’s meeting with senior government officials and CARICOM officials reaffirms USAIDs commitment to partnering under the U.S. – Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). The Deputy Administrator will also meet with civil society leaders to reiterate the need for their engagement with the government and hear their views on citizens’ involvement in local governance. “Additionally, the Deputy Administrator will participate in a roundtable discussion with Guyanese business leaders and U.S. government counterparts to examine trade, labor needs, and investment challenges, as well as opportunities in the region,” the statement said. Further, Ms. Coleman will provide keynote remarks at the Caribbean Investment Forum, highlighting USAID’s support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and reiterating the need for private sector investment to build inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” the statement issued by the Embassy said. The Forum will take place from July 10-12 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Related Similar Articles

4-hour road surveillance cameras now backed by law Jul 10, 2024 News Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn as he made a point while debating the bill in the National Assembly – Speeding, seatbelt violations to be tackled by new legislation DPI – Traffic management will receive a significant boost with the passage of the amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, which took place Monday evening in the National Assembly. The amendments, which bring the utilisation of 24-hour surveillance cameras on major roadways into law, aims to help police identify drivers who violate speed limits and refuse to wear seatbelts while driving. The road intelligent camera system will be fitted onto traffic lights to support the implementation of this new law. The system will be managed by the Guyana Police Force. Photographs will then be taken of vehicles that violate speeding and seatbelt laws. Thereafter, the photo and a notice of the fine will be sent to the vehicle owner’s mobile phone number and subsequently mailed to the owner’s address. Championing the passage of the bill, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn underscored that this type of legislation is necessary as Guyana continues to see transformational development. The minister also pointed out that over the past few years, there have been hundreds of deaths owing to road accidents. In 2023 alone, some 175 persons lost their lives in road accidents. “We have noticed generally…the growth and development of our country. Along with this growth and development, along with the investment in our roads [and] an increase in vehicles on the road, we still struggle with road traffic accidents and deaths,” he posited. The new laws are expected to play a critical role in acting as a deterrent to speeding and the violation of other traffic laws. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill commended the bill which he said will bolster the state’s ability to enforce traffic laws across the country. “This is a straightforward piece of legislation that will strengthen our enforcement of our road laws and ensure that we get better compliance,” he said. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, also registered their support for the amendments. The bill also enjoyed the support of Opposition Members of Parliament. Related Similar Articles

Suspect arrested for robbing manager $10M Jul 10, 2024 News …Police recover $10M Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday announced that a suspect is in custody for the robbery of the Toucan Distributors Limited Manager at a city bank on July 3. Some $10M was stolen but police were only able to recover $1M. Further, police said that the suspect in company did not act alone. Efforts are being made to arrest the others. Reports are that two bandits dressed in police uniforms and reportedly wearing ski masks on Wednesday night robbed the Manager of Toucan Distributors Limited of $10M in cash as he was depositing it in the vault of a city bank on Young Street, in Kingston, Georgetown. The 65-year-old man manager told the investigators that the men were armed with pistols and held him at gun-point but his company in a statement claimed that bandits who attacked him were not wearing masks and were clearly identifiable. Investigators learnt that the victim left his workplace around 21:15 hrs in a black Land Cruiser vehicle (PKK 3700) with five bags containing the cash. When he arrived at the bank, he met with a GEB security Guard on duty who opened the gate and allowed him access inside to deposit the money in the bank’s vault. The Manager claimed that while he was walking towards the vault he saw two motorcyclists approaching from behind his vehicle and became concerned. However, when he noticed that they were dressed as ‘Policemen’ he paid them no mind and continued to walk towards the vault with the money bags in his hands. One of the suspects, he claimed walked up behind him and pointed a gun at his head before grabbing the bags from his hand. The suspect then joined the other motorcyclist, and they made good their escape out of the bank’s compound in an unknown direction. Related Similar Articles