Representatives of the Canadian Exploration company ExxonMobil met President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday to finalise offshore drilling arrangements in anticipation of a favourable outcome of the ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Suriname.

According to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the delegation visiting the Office of the President included Exxon’s South America Area Manager Jim Flannery, Advisor – International Government Relations, Milton Chaves and the company’s Counsel on Exploration and Development Law Richard Aguirre.

Also present was Petroleum Division Manager at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Newell Dennison, who recalled the interest displayed by Exxon in developing Guyana’s offshore drilling potential and noted that the company is seeking to complete its preparatory work to “hit the ground running” following the resolution of the dispute.

Exxon is one of several international companies which have invested in oil exploration locally.

Other companies include Canadian firm CGX ON Energy, US-based Groundstar Resources and Sadhna of Trinidad and Tobago.