Introduction
Last Sunday’s column introduced several of what I labelled as nuts and bolts matters related to oil refining, of which I believe an informed Guyanese public needs to be aware. My intent then and now is to raise public awareness of issues pertinent to an educated discussion on the maximization of benefits for the country, following its first entry into the world of oil and gas production and export. As repeatedly indicated in these columns, there is no shortcut to arriving at being an informed member of the public. And this is perhaps even more necessary, as worldwide the petroleum industry has attracted more than its fair share of charlatans and hustlers, all ready and eager to put their private commercial interests above those of any nation.