GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — ExxonMobil said it plans to explore for oil and gas in a disputed area off South America’s coast where the Venezuelan military had previously expelled two U.S. oil companies.
The president of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, told reporters that the concessions were granted by Guyana and that the company is committed to its operations despite the country’s ongoing tensions with Venezuela.
In 2019, ExxonMobil was forced to abandon exploration activities after a Venezuelan military helicopter tried to land on a seismic vessel.
The latest push by ExxonMobil comes as Guyana and Venezuela prepare to meet for a second time to try and diffuse the dispute over the Essequibo region.
Essequibo is a mineral-rich territory that accounts for two-thirds of Guyana and lies near big offshore oil deposits.
Persons:
Robert Persaud, Alistair Routledge, ”
Organizations:
ExxonMobil, Venezuelan, Associated Press
Locations:
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, America’s, Venezuela, Essequibo, ExxonMobil Guyana, Venezuelan, Texas, U.S