LatinNews Daily Report - 01 October 2013

POLITICS | Opposition complains again about Guyana oil exploration. Venezuela’s opposition Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD) on 30 September reiterated its long-running complaint that the Caracas government is turning a blind eye for political-ideological reasons to neighbouring Guyana’s land and sea oil exploration in the disputed border region of Essequibo. The latest complaint follows a 28 September statement by Guyana’s minister of natural resources and the environment, Robert Persaud, who in a press briefing told local media that the oil companies Anadarko and Esso, both of which have exploration concessions in Guyana, are “actively engaged” in offshore exploration activities. Persaud said that the activities of one of those companies (he didn’t say which) is sufficiently advanced that it is about to make a decision on mobilising a rig to begin drilling. He also said that the ‘Polarcus Asima’ a state-of-the art vessel recently deployed by Spain’s Repsol in the eastern Guyana offshore Kanuku Bloc, is now taking seismic 2D and 3D surveys in the area. Persaud added that other companies are similarly engaged in the area. “So at any one time we will have three or four of those companies carrying out various forms of exploration work, all in our quest to tap into and realise the hydro-carbon potential of our offshore areas”, he stated. In June 2012 the MUD issued a formal note of protest rejecting fresh concessions awarded by the Guyanese government off the coast of Essequibo, where Exxon Mobil and Shell have long been present. Guyana has also awarded mining concessions in Essequibo, which is rich in minerals like gold, diamonds and bauxite. Venezuela’s late president Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) took a conciliatory stance on this historical territorial dispute, including bringing the energy-import dependent Guyana into his regional discount oil scheme Petrocaribe. His successor Nicolás Maduro has continued with this approach.