By Samuel Gillis
Enhancing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to oversee operations in the oil and gas industry is a primary objective for the government, according to Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Dr. Jagdeo, who also serves as the General Secretary of the PPP, underscored the administration’s commitment to improving environmental monitoring through advanced technology.
Dr. Jagdeo highlighted the significant progress already made in this area, but stressed the need for further advancements, particularly in the integration of technology within the local oil and gas sector.
He pointed out that the government has implemented independent thermal imaging systems to detect flaring activities.
This technology allows the EPA and the Ministry of Natural Resources to monitor and report real-time environmental discharges from Floating Production Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs).
The Vice-President elaborated on the new capabilities, stating that live feeds enable continuous monitoring, ensuring compliance with international environmental standards.
Additionally, this technology allows authorities to keep track of oil extraction volumes by ExxonMobil Guyana and its affiliates operating in the Stabroek Block.
Dr. Jagdeo emphasized that despite these advancements, there is still work to be done to fully address the complexities of environmental monitoring in the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector.
The government’s focus remains on building the EPA’s capacity to effectively manage and mitigate environmental impacts, thereby ensuring sustainable development within the industry.