(Energy Analytics Institute, Pietro D. Pitts, 8.Jul.2018) – Recent success in Guyana’s oil sector could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Guyana doesn’t yet produce oil but in coming years its oil output is expected to surpass that of Peru and Trinidad and Tobago and could approach that of Ecuador, one of two lone OPEC producing countries in South America.
Having the world’s largest oil reserves, the first LNG export terminal in the Americas, or large gas reserves doesn’t mean all a country’s political, economic and social problems will be solved. Just ask Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bolivia, respectively. Case studies of these three countries have shown that not just countries in Africa, such as Nigeria, are vulnerable to the Dutch Disease even in the 21st Century.
A look just at Guyana’s poor Corruption Perceptions Index ranking from Transparency International, much lower than the average for the Americas indicates the government is failing in efforts to tackle corruption.
It is hardly likely that Guyana’s faith will change by 2020 when the oil starts flowing and revenues start to climb. What will happen then is almost predictable unless a miracle happens between now and then.
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