President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mallon, in his address at the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Monday addressed critics of the Gas-to-Energy project, assuring that safety is not only a priority for the Government of Guyana (GoG), but also Exxon.
Government and Exxon have embarked on a Gas-to-Energy project which will see natural gas be transported from the offshore Stabroek Block’s Liza oilfield to an integrated gas processing facility at Wales, West Bank of Demerara.
The oil giant’s Upstream President said, “You in Guyana are showing the world leadership. Right at the heart of this commitment to environmental protection, is also our commitment to safe operations, the two sides of the same coin.”
Addressing critics of the project, Mallon said, “There is no need for a tradeoff between energy production and environmental protection,” as he delivered a compelling message on the intersection of energy development and environmental safety.
Addressing local concerns raised about the safety of the major gas project, Mallon reassured attendees of ExxonMobil’s extensive experience and expertise in pipeline operations.
He referenced the company’s century-long track record in managing complex infrastructure projects with safety, reliability, and responsibility at the forefront.
“I’ve heard critics here talk about the risks of the gas to energy pipeline… We’ve been doing this for a century. We know how to do it. We know how to do it safely, reliably and responsibly,” he said.
In fact, Mallon said too, “There is a Guyanese proverb many of you will know ‘don’t fly past your nest.’ This encapsulates our approach, the proverb cautions against going too quickly, too recklessly and reminds us to remember our limits, (and) act prudently.”
Moreover, Mallon lauded the efficiency of the Government of Guyana in streamlining permitting processes, which he credited as a pivotal factor in the successful partnership between ExxonMobil and the nation.
He urged governments worldwide to take note of Guyana’s proactive approach, highlighting the country as an attractive investment destination for responsible operators.
Mallon added, “Governments around the world should take note of the strong signal Guyana is sending to responsible operators with money to invest. This is an appealing place to do business.”