With exploration and production activities taking place 120 miles and more offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil, operator at the 6.6 million acres Stabroek Block, says it has been undertaking a number of engagements geared towards providing more information about its operations to the public and aims to ramp this up in 2020.
“We want to ensure Guyanese are updated on all aspects of our operations,” said Senior Director for Public and Government Affairs Deedra Moe, in a press update from the company at the weekend.
On Saturday the now popular ‘Energy Tunnel’ was set up at the Giftland Mall which the company said is the first in a series of public events planned for 2020. The tunnel provided attendees with information about the start of oil production and other aspects of ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyana. Three other “Energy Tunnel” events are scheduled for this year.
The company said public engagement plays a critical part of its operations in the country and events like the Energy Tunnel and roadshows are geared towards providing project updates to key stakeholders such as government agencies, civil society groups and contractors as well as opportunities to engage in two-way dialogue. ExxonMobil said it also hosts open houses, and its employees regularly engage with local schools, universities and other groups as well as the media.
“Engagements such as the Energy Tunnel and the roadshow provide the opportunity for the public to ask questions and get more information on all aspects of our operations. We recognize that our main activities are taking place 120 miles offshore, so we’ve decided to bring our experts and overview of our operations to the people,” Moe said.
In 2019, the company staged two Energy Tunnels and roadshows over a two-month period for more than 40 groups including a variety of different government agencies, the Mayor and City Council, University of Guyana, Guyana National Youth Council, Come Alive Network and National Toshaos Council.
The company said it also held more than 700 engagements in 2019, reaching more than eight thousand people.
ExxonMobil said these types of engagements will continue throughout this year as it seeks to keep Guyanese informed about its operations.
