Bannister: Renegotiating oil deal royalties is in country’s best interest

DPM reiterates BPC deal is “airtight” But PLP chairman says Minnis administration must “man up” on issue NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister said renegotiating royalties in the government’s agreement with Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) would be in the best interest of the Bahamian people. While appearing as […]

Oil drilling “absolutely against” this nation’s best interest, says climate change expert

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Oil drilling is “absolutely against” this nation’s best interest as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to a local climate change expert and researcher. Dr Adelle Thomas, director of the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research Centre at the University of The Bahamas (UB) and a senior researcher […]

BPC: Bahamians to learn in four to six weeks if Bahamas is “oil rich”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) said yesterday that Bahamians will likely learn within four to six weeks whether The Bahamas is an oil-rich nation. Supreme Court Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes yesterday granted applicants leave to seek judicial review of the government’s approvals for BPC to drill an exploratory well in Bahamian waters, ruling that […]

Save The Bays “ecstatic” over oil drilling judicial review

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chairman of Save The Bays Joe Darville, one of the environmental groups granted leave for judicial review proceedings of the government’s approvals to Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) to drill an exploratory well, said yesterday the organization was “ecstatic” over the judge’s decision. “Recognizing the oil drilling is a matter of vital public […]

GRANTED: Supreme Court grants leave for judicial review of exploratory oil drilling

Test well drilling to continue NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — Supreme Court Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes today granted applicants leave to seek judicial review of the government’s approvals for Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) to drill an exploratory well in Bahamian waters, ruling that Save The Bays and Waterkeeper Bahamas Limited have “an arguable case”. However, Weekes denied the […]

Govt. argues to keep drilling on course, cites risks to environment and investor confidence

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following extensive submissions from counsel on opposing sides, Supreme Court Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes said today she will rule as soon as possible on an application for judicial review of the government’s approval for Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) to drill an exploratory well. The drilling exercise for the well, Perseverance #1, is underway some 90 […]

Smith to govt: Let BPC fight its own battles

Supreme Court hearing resumes today on oil drilling in The Bahamas  BPC advises shareholders that oil drilling “continues” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney Fred Smith, QC, yesterday urged the government to cooperate and ensure a quick judgment from the Supreme Court regarding the filing for judicial review of oil drilling in The Bahamas. A Supreme Court […]

Environmentalists oppose BPC’s alleged attempt to join judicial review proceedings

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Environmentalist coalition Our Islands, Our Future has publicly expressed its objection to Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) allegedly attempting to join judicial review proceedings, claiming it to be a scheme to “price its opponents out of justice”. A statement released by the group read: “During the process, it has also become clear that the […]

BPC: “Impossible to halt” drilling exercise

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) attorney Clare Montgomery, QC, today advised the Supreme Court that notwithstanding an application for judicial review of the approvals concerning the company drilling for oil in The Bahamas, now that drilling has begun it is “impossible to halt it”. She made the statement during a hearing on an application […]

Davis challenges govt. to renegotiate oil deal, says “stop pointing fingers”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — If the government wanted to get out of the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) deal for exploratory oil drilling in The Bahamas, it could, suggested Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday. BPC has announced that it commenced the drilling of its exploratory oil well on Sunday with drilling expected to […]

US Members of Congress urge govt to reconsider BPC oil deal

Letter: Bahamian govt will require financial assistance from the US to address any oil spill NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 17 members of the United States Congress have urged the government to reconsider its agreement with the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) for exploratory oil drilling in The Bahamas and questioned the company’s and the government’s capacity […]

Oil explorer secures funding agreement for up to US$20 million as company eyes “busy year” in 2021

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) said yesterday it has secured a funding agreement for up to US$20 million, with its chief executive predicting that 2021 will be a “busy year” for the company. The company informed investors that it has entered into an agreement with a leading European alternative asset manager, under which […]

Oil drilling opponents “excited” and “surprised” by PM’s stance

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Oil exploration and drilling opponents have expressed excitement and surprise over Prime Minister’s recent comments opposing oil drilling, with a local QC calling for the government to “shine the light” on the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) licenses. The company has planned to commence drilling an exploratory well before the end of the […]

Davis: Don’t blame PLP for oil drilling

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis should not blame the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) for a controversial oil drilling deal, but should instead “accept responsibility for his own decisions”. Davis’ comments, made in a statement released Friday, follow the prime minister telling the media he remained “totally […]