Dr Clive Thomas

Introduction Last week’s column referenced six mechanisms utilized by oil-rich economies pursuing poverty eradication. 

Introduction Back in early September this year I received a circular appeal from the Tri-continental Research Institute that was sent to its network of fellow Researchers in the Global South.

Introduction Today’s column introduces multi-dimensional measures of poverty in Guyana. I share the view that the best starting point for this topic, is through an introduction of the United Nations Human Development Report, UN, HDR and its Index HDI As the UNDP states, the HDI is a “summary measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

Introduction Last week’s column illustrated that for most of the 2000s Guyana’s poverty theorizing as well as its policy prescriptions have been constructed on the basis of data derived from headcount or headcount–related survey studies.This

Introduction In response to the Tricontinental Institute of Social Research’s circular call for assistance for crafting a new development theory and practice that seeks to release the poor from their persistent poverty, I ventured a response based on this long-running series on Guyana as the “newest and fastest rising petrostate in the Americas.”

INTRODUCTION Today’s column continues consideration of the circular communication sent to me by the Tricontinental Institute of Social Research, a network of research bodies in the Global South which, urges my contribution towards the construction of  “a new development theory that did not leave the poor trapped in their poverty”.

Introduction Last week’s column wrapped- up my consideration of ExxonMobil’s performance as a leading protagonist against global climate policy transition.

Introduction In today’s column I take on board more frontally the added reputational and business risks, which flow from the circumstance that ExxonMobil [Guyana’s lead oil Contractor] displays the characteristics of a zombie corporation as that term is commonly understood in the formularization of the dynamics of zombie firms in business and economics.

Introduction Today’s lead Operator/Contractor for Guyana’s oil and gas operations, ExxonMobil, has an unenviable history as both a 1] exemplar zombie corporation and 2] strong proponent of corporate information warfare against climate policies and programmes targeted at a 2050s transition.

Introduction In both my initial column in the series on the public auction of oil block rights and the likely remaining opportunity window for successful Guyana crude oil exportation and my later re-cap of this column, I have remained steadfast in my view that this window is likely to last until the decade of the 2050s.

Introduction Today’s column completes the task I had set on August 20 of re-visiting four topics in the series that dealt with the now twice-delayed holding of public auctions for Guyana’s oil block rights.

Introduction For clarity, my re-cap this week juxtaposes the ruling Stabroek Production Sharing Agreement, PSA alongside the proposed template by the authorities that has been designed to replace it, as and when the public auctions take place.

Introduction In today’s column I recap the gist of those earlier columns that were directed at taking stock of the prevailing condition of three key parameters facing Guyana’s oil and gas sector, on the eve of the planned switch away from the fiscal metrics of the Stabroek Block PSA, to the new fiscal template scheduled for implementing at intended public auctions.

Introduction Except, perhaps for the case of my similarly long series of columns dealing with the Buxton Proposal on direct cash transfers to the poor, I have never received so many requests to re-cap a series in order to aid comprehension of the many new concepts introduced in my presentation on an individual topic, as in the case of my discussion of the treatment of the planned public auctions of oil and gas rights.

Introduction As promised last week, in today’s column I shall introduce readers to the second of two studies that focus on the evaluation of public auctioning of oil rights.

Introduction In today’s and the next column I shall draw attention to selected policy research that has focused on evaluating the performance of oil rights public auctions over substantial periods of time.

Introduction Today’s column begins with a summary overview of the current state of affairs in regard to the proposed public oil block options in Guyana postponed from an initial mid-April due date to a new one, mid- July and them to September 12.

Introduction As indicated last week, today’s column will begin addressing 1] current estimation of Guyana’s recoverable crude oil resources 2] the fiscal metrics in the model PSA prepared for the impending public auctions of crude oil blocks; and, 3] policies linked to, or contingent upon, the public auctions of crude oil blocks.

Introduction Today’s column addresses the second topic I had identified for consideration in this ongoing evaluation of Guyana’s proposed public auctions of its crude oil blocks.

Introduction Over several immediately preceding columns I have undertaken a basic stock taking of Guyana’s petroleum sector in three of its dimensions.