While a large oil spill is seen as being an unlikely outcome of the ExxonMobil-led Yellowtail Development Project, an environmental study has recommended that the company be required to commit to regular response drills, simulations and exercises as part of needed preparations in the event of a worst case scenario.
The consultants who prepared the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environ-mental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project have recommended that national authorities consider embedded controls, mitigation measures, management plans and oil spill preparedness as conditions of issuing an environmental authorization for the project, which is expected to pose only minor risks to Guyana’s environmental and socioeconomic resources, while potentially offering significant economic benefits to the citizenry.