The head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram, says operators in Guyana’s offshore oil sector cannot simply submit oil spill response plans and leave them on the shelf. He explained that these plans must be activated and tested to ensure every party involved is ready to respond if a major incident occurs.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast hosted by Kiana Wilburg, Parsram underscored the importance of a key provision in environmental permits which requires operators to operationalise their oil spill response plan at least twice within the first three years of receiving approval.
Wilburg noted that this provision strengthens environmental accountability and forces companies to demonstrate readiness in real-world conditions rather than treating response plans as paperwork.
Parsram agreed, stating that anyone can produce a plan, but testing is the only way to confirm that the necessary resources are in place and effective. He said operationalising the plan ensures all parties understand what is required of them during a spill response.
He stressed that responsibility does not rest solely on operators like ExxonMobil. If a serious event were to occur, multiple agencies and partners would need to act, from the EPA to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and even local fishermen.
Parsram highlighted that regular simulations and exercises ensure that everyone knows their role, where resources are coming from, and how to respond to a tier-three spill, the most severe category.
By enforcing operational testing of these plans, the EPA is working to ensure that Guyana’s oil industry is not only regulated on paper, but fully prepared for emergencies that could affect the environment and coastal livelihoods.
