By staff reporter
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of Guyana’s energy independence tonight as opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed has raised the alarm over an alleged critical pipeline rupture, questioning the government’s silence and the potential environmental catastrophe that could be unfolding just two miles off the country’s coast.
Speaking in a video posted on social media, Mohamed disclosed that the 140-mile pipeline, a cornerstone of the nearly US$3 billion Gas-to-Energy project, has been ruptured for approximately three months. The revelation has sparked concern and urgent questions about the project’s management, the safety of the nation’s marine life, and the integrity of a venture touted as the key to powering Guyana’s future.
The government of Guyana must step forward and deny or explain the particulars of this matter.
“Were there any gasses flowing from the Exxon Mobil-run stopper blocks? If so, are we assessing its impact on the damage to marine life and the environment?” Mohamed demanded, echoing concerns that have yet to be addressed by the PPP government .
The opposition leader highlighted the sheer absurdity of the situation: a pipeline that has not even been commissioned is already compromised. “Imagine when natural gas starts to flow. What will happen if this pipeline ruptures then? This pipeline hasn’t even been commissioned yet and it has already ruptured? This is dangerous,” he stated .
While some have speculated the alleged leak involves nitrogen—often used to purge or test pipelines—the government has failed to provide any official confirmation. This opacity leaves the public and environmental watchdogs in the dark about the true nature of the substance being released into the ocean, a stone’s throw from the Marriott Hotel.
This latest blow comes after a string of broken promises by the government. Mohamed reminded the public that in 2021, the government promised that the gas energy project would cost no more than US$900 million and would slash electricity bills by 50% by 2024. That deadline has since been pushed to 2025, then to 2026, while Guyanese still face high energy costs .
“How can a project of this magnitude damage a critical pipeline before it is even completed?” Mohamed asked. “When Guyanese invest almost 3 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure that is expected to power the nation, at the very least, citizens expect strict oversight and transparency.”
He noted that vessels are currently deployed near the rupture site, likely costing taxpayers thousands of dollars daily to monitor the situation—a cost that has not been accounted for publicly.
Despite recent assurances from industry stakeholders regarding safety measures, including the commissioning of a “capping stack” in Guyana designed to stop the flow of hydrocarbons in an emergency, the presence of a, alleged pre-commissioning leak raises serious questions about the project’s engineering and oversight .
Mohamed has called for an immediate statement from the government, demanding answers to key questions:
1. What exactly is leaking? Is it nitrogen, gas, or another substance?
2. What is the environmental impact? What damage has been done to marine life and fisherfolk livelihoods?
3. What is the cost? How much are taxpayers paying for the monitoring and repair?
4. What is the timeline? When will the pipeline be fixed, and what guarantees exist for future safety?
“Development without transparency, accountability, and competence puts the country at risk,” Mohamed concluded. “The government must stop hiding problems that should be of national concern from the public.”
