GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Venezuela on Thursday rejected Guyana’s plan to conduct 3D seismic surveys in a 25,000-square-kilometre area of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to search for potential oil and gas deposits.
In a statement, the Venezuelan government said the maritime boundary between the two countries has not yet been legally settled and accused Guyana of conducting unilateral exploration activities in waters under dispute.
Caracas said the move violates what it described as fundamental principles of international law and urged Guyana to avoid actions that could worsen tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Venezuela also warned that it would not recognise any concessions, licences, or exploration activities in what it described as “undelimited maritime areas” if they are granted unilaterally by Guyana or involve third parties.
The area targeted for the seismic survey includes 11 blocks offered during Guyana’s 2022 oil licensing round. The blocks are located south of the Stabroek Block and extend toward the Guyana–Suriname border.
The Guyanese government says the project will also involve reprocessing and integrating existing seismic data collected during previous surveys in the area.
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