Prominent environmental and energy expert, and former head Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams, has strongly criticised Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, for what he describes as the dissemination of misleading and dangerous information regarding oil production rates in Guyana.
Dr. Adams’ remarks come in response to allegations by opposition Member of Parliament (MP) David Patterson that Minister Bharrat provided deceptive information to Parliament on the matter.
Dr. Adams in a public missive today expressed deep concern over what he views as the Minister’s lack of responsibility and competence in handling critical issues related to the oil and gas sector. He criticised Minister Bharrat for his failure to accurately comprehend and communicate the environmental and safety implications of increased oil production rates. According to Dr. Adams, the Minister’s statements demonstrate a troubling disregard for the health, safety, and environmental well-being of the Guyanese people.
In his statement, Dr. Adams pointed to previous instances where he believes Minister Bharrat has acted irresponsibly, including falsely claiming that the Liza 1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permitted ExxonMobil to flare up to 14 billion cubic feet of gas. Dr. Adams contends that the EIA clearly prohibits such flaring, and that the Minister’s erroneous statements are part of a broader pattern of misinformation and lack of oversight.
Dr. Adams also raised concerns about the Minister’s handling of the 2019 World Bank Plan, which aimed to establish a robust oil and gas oversight framework through the creation of a specialised 36-member unit within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He also criticised the Minister for allegedly abandoning this plan and failing to equip the EPA with the necessary expertise to effectively monitor ExxonMobil’s activities.
Furthermore, Dr. Adams accused Minister Bharrat of exceeding safe legal limits for oil production, as set out in the EIAs for the Liza 1, Liza 2, and Payara projects. He warned that the current production rate of 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), which is projected to increase to 708,000 bpd, poses significant risks to the country’s environmental and economic stability. Dr. Adams emphasised that any increase in production beyond the established limits is illegal without public consultation, and he urged the Minister to adhere to the rule of law.
In contrast, Dr. Adams praised the previous administration’s approach to oil production, noting that it adhered to the EIA’s safe limits and maintained a controlled production rate well below the maximum thresholds. He argued that ExxonMobil’s current actions reflect the company’s recognition of the previous government’s competence and the current administration’s perceived weakness.
Dr. Adams has since called on Minister Bharrat to exercise greater caution and seek expert advice before making public statements on such critical matters in underscoring the importance of transparency, accountability, and adherence to established safety protocols in the management of Guyana’s oil and gas resources.
