The exploration for the presence of hydrocarbons is about to start in the offshore of Barbados. This activity has provoked some discussion in quarters about whether a small island state in the Caribbean committed to transitioning to renewal and alternative energy should risk compromising the environment.
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Just in time for a world that is changing from hydrocarbons toward sustainable energy, typical Barbados backward thinking political management. Tomorrow we’ll hear government proclaim this will be the country’s savour.
This is great news for Barbados and Barbadians. If the seismic tests are positive and oil or gas or both are found, I would hope that the Governments uses the revenue/wealth similar to the Norwegian model whereby a large portion is held for future generations. Finding oil/gas offshore will create many jobs in the maritime, undersea welding, catering, harbour, infrastructure, legal, offshore financial sectors, and more.
Let us hope for positive results.
Was waiting for the Norwegian model to be cited.
https://www.facebook.com/246784233190/posts/10158588428058191/?sfnsn=mo
Hope govt policy on this exploration is clear with terms and agreements which would include the protection of the coral reefs and any damages which might occur be at the hands and the responsibility of BHP for corrective action
David
Everytime the BLP is in power the spectre of oil resources rises its ugly head.
Last time David Thompson told us all that there was no oil. Yet this administration revisits this issue.
It’s incredible that a DLP regime would have foregone this quick fix for 10 years.
Is Mugabe fooling us again.
@Pacha
Is it Mottley of BHP you should direct the question.
Wily
You are the person that is packwards!
How Long did Barbados own a demo sea Oil rig ir the Technology to do deep ses exploration?
Bajans have heard it all before from the oil-slick tongue-twisting politicians.
What Bajans like the Johnny No.2 want to see is oil gushing like that in the Beverly Hillbillies pipeline of ‘crudely’-rich dreams.
While the offshore crude oil eggs are being laid the Bajan forex chickens are laying on the beaches and starving to death.
Below is an extract of what was promised to Bajans in June 2015 by a pathological stranger to the truth and who is now one of the chief economic advisers to the ‘John’ No. 2 favourite administration:
(Quote):
In an effort to reinvigorate our on-shore exploration business the Oil Company has been able to sign a deal with a UK-based firm to re-enter previously retired wells on-shore and, using the latest technology, seek to capture residual oil stocks in those wells to the extent of potentially increasing Barbados daily production to between 500 and 1500 barrels a day. If successful, this effort could also increase the amount of natural gas available to the National Petroleum Corporation.
Government has also been able to sign an official licensing agreement with the international oil conglomerate BHP Billiton to lead an off-shore exploration effort that, if successful, could bring hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings to the country in the medium to longer term.
And, at a minimum, to bring significant investment and spending in the shorter term as the work leading to the exploration gets started on-shore. In the Alternative energy sector we have put a National Renewable Energy Policy in place together with accompanying legislation to assist in the orderly build-out of this critical new sector…..(Unquote).
@Miller
What we need is clarity based on Pacha’s earlier question. What has delayed exploration, why did the late Thompson opined as he did by questioning the hydrocarbon data available to support findings.
Is this our version of heavy-lifting. Tourism and tax-haven may become an issue so let us go hunting for oil.
Always, the simple answer …
The challenge for small island states like Barbados is that to support the consumption behaviour model we have become addicted finding alternatives sectors to drive and replace GDP like tourism and services will take time. What do we do in the short term? We have backed ourselves into a corner and it is not start in the last 5 years.
Once again, our government is doing everything right. Let us succeed Guyana, the Eldorado of yellow and black gold!
The chatter about decarbonisation is for rich white urbanites in the North. We in the South fight for our lives every day and cannot afford such luxury discussions.
Once again our govt is doing Sh.it throwing spaghetti in the air and hoping it would stick
There should be a signed posted outside Parliament stating
Knuckleheads at work do not disturb
I past that sign In George Street a few years ago
I Think it still there . Verla Can bring it over In 15 yts if she still around
Must we do this to every topic? If we donât not have constructive input why bother to litter the blog with empty comments. It is this political fluff that is driving many members of the public to become apathetic.
David Ellis asking about calling the police to investigate
https://vob929.com/listen-live-3/
There is no oil.
Just as the advanced economies are setting targets to ban petrol cars etc.; just as the costs of batteries and solar cells are dropping; just as the efficiency of solar cells are improving…
Didn’t Mugabe recently announce a target for the adoption of EVs or some such? Was’t Mugabe recently touting Bim’s green and sustainability credentials?
This is just another distraction to inject some hope into the frustrated hoi polloi.
Dullard
Ok. There maybe no Oil
So BHP is Wasting it’s / sharehilders money to assist the government In smoke and mirrors?
**So BHP is Wasting it’s / sharehilders money to assist the government In smoke and mirrors?*
@John2 — there is no oil.
Or at least not in the quantity and/or at a price to change the trajectory of the Barbados economy.
We don’t know the arrangement between BHP and the Bdos govt. Is the Bdos govt contributing to the cost of exploration? We don’t know.
Are there other reasons that BHP are exploring at this time? Testing tech and equipment? We don’t know.
One would Think the successs In Guyana and surname waters Would be a factor In why they are interested In at least testing In ours
We wont know what is/ isnt there untill we check
For all these years there was drilling In the waters In the gulf of mexico
Trinidad was producing Oil
where was guyanas Oil Industry ?
I an not saying there is /isnt oil But i am In support In exploring. To make that determination
“Tomorrow we’ll hear government proclaim this will be the country’s savour.”
Oh yes forgot about the BLP Blogger Yardfouls, same class if not the actual bloggers. Should any hydrocarbons be found, better chance of winning the lottery, then you’ll shortly hear about the BLP/Elliot Benevolent Fund comming into existence.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/02/06/oil-giant-gets-offshore-exploration-licences/
Which goverment was in power in 2015?
@Wily
You saying the BLP/MM will be in power for a long time?
BHP exploration is akin to finding gold at the end of a rainbow
Another distraction from govt
Bingo
Now i know we going to find oil
@ John2 June 7, 2021 3:47 PM
(Quote):
For all these years there was drilling In the waters In the gulf of mexico
Trinidad was producing Oil
where was guyanas Oil Industry ?
I an not saying there is /isnt oil But i am In support In exploring. To make that determination…(Unquote).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
How come you are swimming all around the Orinoco basin and have not reached the shores of Venezuela where 300 billion bbls of KNOWN OR PROVEN RESERVES lie waiting to be tapped by the same big oil giants?
So where would you ‘sink’ your money to get rich quick before 2050, Johnny?
In the centre of the Orinoco black gold mine all ready to gush your bonanza?
Or in some deep waters off a resource-poor coral atoll where your chances of striking black gold are 300 billion times more remote than finding gold nuggets floating down the Constitution river from Mount Stinkeroo?
Barbados is an ‘ideal’ location in order to write-off some good old oil exploration assets for legitimate tax purposes.
What a sight to behold in the year 2030!!
Ten cruise liners docking at 10 oil rigs off Barbados to collect their share of Barbados-subsidized fuel oil to take visitors to the Virgin Islands on their dream cruise holiday.
If you don’t want to open an oil can of environmentally dangerous worms, please leave those few drops of oil where they naturally belong; that is under the seabed!
We should be debating if an integrated strategy of renewable and hydrocarbon is the way to go instead of this empty back an forth as to whether oil is present or not because that is just speculation. Both governments have tied the country to tourism and services yet each blame the other and ask about diversification. We are adults are we not?
This blog an others are perfect examples why we are mired. Every single topic must be politicized to death. The AG reports has been dealt with the same by both parties. Yet we debate who is responsible for this and that. Integrity Legislation has failed to pass since Tom Adams and we debate who is to blame. And on it goes.
BHP to Search for O&G Offshore Barbados
OE Staff
Friday, February 7, 2020
Illustration; Barbados – Image by Richard Semik – AdobeStock
Anglo-Australian oil and mining giant BHP has obtained “effective offshore exploration licenses” to search for oil in the waters off Barbados.
The Barbados Government Information Service informed this week that the Caribbean country’s government gave BHP permission to explore in the Carlisle Bay and Bimshire blocks.
The two blocks are located between 40 km to 140 km southeast of Barbados, collectively encompassing an area of 5,000 km2 in area, sitting in water depths ranging from 1,200 meters to 2,000 meters.
Barbados Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams, stated: “While the Government of Barbados is aggressively pursuing renewable and alternative energy initiatives, it also recognizes the importance of diversifying the island’s energy portfolio to include offshore oil and gas development.
BHP optimistic about chances of find oil and gas
“With prudent management, Barbados’ offshore oil and gas sector can offer significant opportunities for the Barbadian people, not only in terms of revenue generation but also in relation to institutional strengthening, capacity building, job creation, and technological advancement. This has been a long time in coming, and the Government is eager for BHP to get started.”
Per the statement issued earlier this week, BHP will begin the first three-year license phase, which includes 2D seismic surveys on the two exploration blocks.
In case of positive results, BHP may then enter an optional second phase of three years to perform 3D seismic surveys and other geological studies, followed by an optional third phase of two years, to drill at least one exploration well in each block.
BHP Petroleum Vice President of Exploration and Appraisal, Sonia Scarselli, said: “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Barbados Government as we commence the next phase of our work in Barbadian waters … this opportunity leverages our offshore exploration expertise, and we are optimistic about our chances of discovering hydrocarbons within these blocks.”
@ David June 7, 2021 6:49 PM
How about marijuana and its many by-products ranging in use from medicinal to cosmetology?
Marijuana is not “native” to Amsterdam yet it represents a good addition to its main tourism business model.
Didn’t Israel take the Aloe vera barbadensis [Miller] and make a profitable industry out of it?
@Miller
The process is on the way?
Miller
Those ten Cruise liners Will be solar powered ?
David
Our experiences in Barbados should have taught us, as basic, that nothing can happen, particularly a project which seeks to extract petroleum from the sea bed, without the permission of the government.
Not this billiton but Mugabe and Mugabe alone who bears sole authority as maximum leader.
So with oil literally on the horizon we can finally mothball “Little Island Big Barbados” and say to the tourists “Yankee Go Home” and wave our new slogan “Little Barbados Big Oil”
@Sargeant
The current process to explore for hydrocarbons is the early stage of a process, possibly 10 years.
So Thompson said there is no oil.
Mia, whom no one believes or trusts anymore, says that there is….
who do you believe, two dishonest lawyers….or just trust ya instincts and never trust another lying, tiefing, treacherous, sellout politician…..who is expert at buying time…
i would go with the latter…don’t depend on anything ya can’t SEE and don’t know exists for sure…..a lot can happen in one week….imagine ten years of exploration….some countries, it took 50 YEARS of exploration……half century before any oil was found…
How much money is govt going to waste chasing shadows
If BHP is drilling for oil at their expense what is this nonsense? Some of you here need to grow up! Criticize with sense!
@ David June 7, 2021 9:46 PM
Guess by that time Barbados would be 100% fossil-fuel free, if we are to go by the ‘Green’ economy road map of the current (and even previous) political administration.
So how would that make Barbados look like other than a two-faced fool?
Why package your own poison and sell it as another man’s meat?
Where is the morality in that?
Isn’t this similar to drug pushers living in the millennium-type Heights and selling crack cocaine to kids in economically depressed areas but using some of the proceeds from the business to put in the People’s Cathedral collection box every Sunday as a show of penance?
@Miller
The blogmaster has no dog in the fight except to suggest we should try to dispassionately discuss the issues. The blogmaster suspects the late Thompson played some politics with the matter of hydrocarbon exploration because he saw advantage to hang his political hat on the renewable energy agenda.
@ David June 8, 2021 8:44 AM
Isn’t the current red administration hanging its political ‘green’ hat on the same R/E agenda?
Why is the GoB still ‘facilitating’ the importation of fossil-fuel powered vehicles; whether new or used?
What smart people like you- with no skin in the fossil-fuel game or dog in the imaginary political fight- should be asking the current administration are what plans does it have to replace or fill the massive tax revenues gap or hole which the reduction in consumption in imported fossil fuels will be creating.
@Miller
COVID 19 and the dire state of the domestic economy may have dimmed such an approach.
DavidJune 8, 2021 8:13 AM
If BHP is drilling for oil at their expense what is this nonsense? Some of you here need to grow up! Criticize with sense
Xxccc
We need to see all of the agreements in writing not what govt prefers to cherry pick
Do we have the EV charging infrastrukture In place ?
@ David June 8, 2021 9:20 AM
Seems you are not prepared to face up to the fiscal reality facing Barbados by dismissing that old adage that ‘you should never let a crisis go to waste’.
Is there no longer a silver lining behind the Covid-19 dark Bajan cloud?
Isn’t this the appropriate time to make those fundamental social and economic changes long overdue while making Covid-19 the scapegoat?
How about preparing for the pending health crisis about to explode like a nuclear bomb on Barbados because of its growing love affair with the consumption of junk food to make the threat of global warming look like a fly on an elephant’s back?
Why not impose the necessary tax to frontload the inevitable cost about to overwhelm the already overburdened public health sector?
@Miller
The narrow interest of politicians can be compared to CEOs of modern day companies. The sustainability of a company depends on medium and long term planning, however, the CEO is rewarded based on short term performance. Connect the dots.
It takes some imagination and balls for a miniscule Caribbean island to risk its future on a raw material widely seen as being anti-environmental. There is absolutely no sense in Barbados exploiting her oil reserves.
Take a look at the link below. We have a lot to learn.
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-china-rival-wuling-hongguang-mini-ev-video-in-depth-look/
ExxonMobil (XOM) Resumes Jabillo-1 Drilling Offshore Guyana
Zacks Equity Research
Wed, June 9, 2021, 10:15 AM
Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM recently resumed drilling the Jabillo-1 well, offshore Guyana. The company is using Stena Carron, a sixth-generation harsh environment drillship, at the wellsite located in the Canje Block.
This year, ExxonMobil intends to drill three wells in the Canje Block, wherein it plans to replicate the success from the Stabroek Block. The company has made multiple world-class oil discoveries at the Stabroek Block, located off the coast of Guyana. It estimates gross recoverable resource of 9 billion oil-equivalent barrels from the block. Moreover, the integrated energy major projects daily oil production volumes of more than 800,000 gross barrels by 2025.
Bulletwood-1 well, the first one drilled in the Canje Block, did not find any commercial oil quantities. Jabillo-1 well, the second one, commenced earlier this year but had to be paused. Following some maintenance work, the company recommenced drilling at the site. Notably, Jabillo-1 is expected to have 1 billion barrels of oil. The reservoir is expected to have hydrocarbons from the Late Cretaceous age.
Wonder what exxon Will do with all that Oil before and after 2050
https://www.motortrend.com/news/longest-range-electric-cars-2020-19-evs-can-go-distance/
From Speightstown to Oistins is 28 miles.
” Returning nationals ” could bring an EV and save a lot. Just a hint.
Cruise ships came back with much fanfare and applause
Tourist once again got to see a bruggadown Bridgetown
https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/bhp-1.png
Barbados rush to extract oil does not add up in today’s climate.
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2021/6/10/will-oil-giants-give-way-to-environmentalists
Source: Nation News
@Wily Coyote
I could not have said this any better myself.
my sentiments exactly!
At a time when the long term plan should be how to get ourselves off that oil dependence, and push renewables these asses seem to believe that this is a good path to follow.
We will get pennies for our oil, and no doubt, pennies that the Political Class will steal and plunder from the Treasury.
The world is coming to another global conflict as a result of this stupid behavior and how it disenfranchises the middle and other not so fortunate classes/masses.
When the poor have nothing to eat, they will eat the rich!
These Neanderthals only observe and explore what is good for the wealthy
The poor can continue to suffer
Venezuela is a good example on how An oil rich country and its wealth is handed to the rich while the poor suck salt
@David
I agree that Oil and Renewables can indeed co-exists as a means of providing the resources needed to achieve goals by being the source of power for factories, businesses etc.
However, we have to push hard to transform the economy toward renewables and leave oil behind as an option for those who wish to hold on to it.
Oil cannot be standing in the way because we Barbadians in the Political and Upper classes have to find a method of controlling Renewables to our own benefit thereby starting the cycle of dependence all over again before allowing it to develop and flourish.
I smell the desire to collude and find excuses why we still have to keep oil ad.infinitum, while we have the freedom to adapt and adopt new power sources.
This is the time for a reboot from the old ways of economic oppression.
We wont accept anything short of full energy independence going forward!
@The Watcher
Agreed but one gets the impression the government prefers to hedge with the coexist approach.