Govt says proposed gas-to-shore project ‘well advanced’

Following criticisms by former Petroleum Advisor Jan Mangal about the sloth regarding a proposed natural gasto-shore project, the government says that it “well advanced” and that there are also plans in the pipeline to engage the Private Sector.

“Dr Bynoe noted that one of those activities currently being explored is ‘bringing gas to shore’.” This, he said, is “well advanced”, the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated on Monday as it quoted the Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe.

“We have a draft memorandum of understanding and a very cogent working group made up of critical players within the government. We hope to engage the private sector as well so that they can understand what the opportunities are,” Bynoe also informed.

According to the DPI, Bynoe emphasised the need for private sector engagement as it is important to create an environment for investments to be made.

Former Petroleum Advisor Jan Mangal last week flayed the David Granger-led APNU+AFC government for its sloth in the implementation of a proposed gas-toshore project saying that ExxonMobil’s flaring of over nine billion cubic feet of natural gas could have been avoided if the project was in place.

He disclosed that ExxonMobil had already established a team to discuss the project and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) had said that it would fund a feasibility study of this country’s coastline to determine the most suitable location for the landing of the pipes and setting up of a power station.

Accusing some government ministers of rejecting the IDB’s offer to instead handpick a site, Mangal contended that the feasibility study could have been completed by now and plans on bringing the have been advanced.