Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Guyana, Kemraj Parsram says to date the Agency has received GY$930 million (US$4,500,000) in payments for flaring related to oil production activities ongoing at the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block. The EPA head disclosed this to OilNOW in a recent comment.
This follows amendments to the Liza Phase One Environmental Permit which was announced on May 13, 2021. OilNOW previously reported that the revised permit features modified terms and conditions relating to the emission reporting requirements, technical considerations for flaring, and timelines for flaring events. Additionally, the revised Permit contains an obligation on ExxonMobil Guyana to pay for the emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 equivalent) as a result of flaring in excess of these timelines.
Parsram was keen to remind that the company will not recover the money paid to the EPA.
The Agency had previously explained that the US$45 payment was guided by the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), which is prescribed by the Environmental Protection Act of 1996.
The EPA had highlighted that this principle has served as a universal basis of environmental management even prior to 1996 and added that it has continuously developed in its interpretation and applicability as a result of national and international jurisprudence, customary law, as well as international environmental laws and conventions.
With the new gas compressor Exxon is in the process of installing on the Liza Destiny, Parsram told OilNOW flaring is expected to be reduced to pilot levels which is approximately one million standard cubic feet of gas per day or less.
