…says information on ongoing flaring was not readily presented to Gov’t
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is concerned about ExxonMobil’s resumption of “above pilot levels” flaring offshore Guyana, stating on Saturday that this undercuts Guyana’s Low-Carbon interests.
On Friday, ExxonMobil announced that it has again commenced flaring above start-up levels due to a new technical issue regarding a seal on the gas compressor on the Liza Destiny. This is even as the Company flared over 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas offshore Guyana last year due to similar challenges.
Guyana’s WWF branch expressed it “deep and growing concern” on Saturday that the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL) – a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil – reportedly did not inform the Government that it was flaring prior to this development.
The WWF stated that recommencement of flaring defies ExxonMobil’s global commitment to reduce flaring from 2016 levels by 20 per cent in 2020 and reducing its greenhouse gas footprint.
“The burden of responsibility falls squarely on ExxonMobil. We look forward to the Company being held accountable for this development,” said David Singh, Director of WWF-Guianas.
Furthermore, the WWF posited that EEPGL is undercutting Guyana’s “green image” making it more difficult for the country to promote and build a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
It stated that the lack of, and limited disclosure of information also gives no confidence that the company will take seriously its good corporate citizen responsibility in a country known for its climate mitigation efforts.
