Rupununi Residents on High Alert Over the Prospect of Oil Extraction in the Region

Published: 14th of March 2026 by Patrick Carpen

Last updated: March 27, 2026 at 6:25 am

The vast, sweeping savannahs of Guyana’s Rupununi have long been known for their tranquility, but a new and contentious issue is stirring debate among the communities that call them home. After stakeholders held meetings with several Region 9 top brass to discuss the prospect of drilling for oil in the area, alarm bells sounded across the Rupununi with most residents expressing staunch opposition to the idea. The conversations, which have intensified in recent weeks, reveal a community grappling with the potential for economic transformation against a deep-seated fear of environmental and cultural destruction.

At the heart of the current controversy is Cataleya Petroleum Inc., a locally owned company that has begun engaging with Indigenous leaders about its intention to commence onshore operations. According to reports, representatives of the company met with residents in the village of Karasabai on February 28th to unveil plans focused on an area known as the “Hunt Oil Stretch,” a location of particular significance to Indigenous communities who have long sought to preserve it. The company’s “Takutu Project” aims to determine the feasibility of exploring for commercial quantities of petroleum by revisiting and reprocessing historical seismic data from work done in the 1980s with the goal of determining if oil can be produced “safely and cleanly using new technology.”

Despite these assurances, many residents remain deeply skeptical. They contend that oil extraction has the potential to degrade the environment and significantly alter the landscape. The North Rupununi, in particular, is part of an ancient wetland system that residents have spent decades trying to protect. Michael Williams, the Chairman of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), explained that communities had attempted to have the area designated as a Ramsar site—a wetland of international importance—over 25 years ago, though the effort ultimately failed because Guyana was not a signatory to the convention. This long-standing commitment to conservation makes the prospect of industrial drilling particularly alarming to those who view the savannahs and their seasonal floods as a lifeline for biodiversity and traditional livelihoods.

The opposition is not solely environmental. A powerful undercurrent of the resistance stems from a bitter historical lesson: resource exploitation in Region 9 has historically brought very little benefit to the residents of the region. According to persons living there, the vast majority of the wealth generated from extractive industries has been siphoned out to foreigners and transnational companies while locals have been left with the scraps, often exploited for cheap labor. Residents fear that a similar scenario will be replicated if oil extraction starts. Williams has been vocal on this point, arguing that the country is already failing to benefit financially from the ongoing offshore production by American oil giant ExxonMobil, and he sees no reason to believe onshore operations would be any different.

Adding to the complexity, there are significant legal questions about whether the country is even ready for such a move. Williams has raised concerns that there is currently no clear legal framework to govern oil and gas activities onshore. He pointedly noted, “I am quite sure that the laws are saying we only have offshore oil drilling and not onshore yet,” and has indicated his intention to seek legal advice on the matter. This regulatory vacuum leaves communities feeling vulnerable as they are being asked to consider proposals without the safety net of established laws to protect their rights and environment.

The path forward, as outlined by the government, involves a multi-stage process. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, confirmed that the company has been instructed to engage with the people first before any formal application can be submitted. Any eventual permit would require review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which would determine the need for a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In theory, this process includes community engagement to help draft the terms of reference for such studies, and citizens would retain the right to object to any EPA decision through the Environmental Assessment Board.

For now, the sentiment on the ground remains largely one of caution. A number of prominent voices within the region say they prefer to keep the savannahs pristine viewing them as a heritage worth more than any potential oil revenue. A handful of residents remain neutral adopting a wait-and-see approach as the consultations unfold. An even smaller fraction, however, believe that oil exploration might help to enrich the region despite the environmental costs. This tiny but present pro-development faction argues that the new highway connecting Georgetown to Brazil will inevitably bring change, and perhaps controlled oil extraction could provide the funding for local infrastructure and services that have been lacking for generations.

As Cataleya Petroleum continues its outreach and the government monitors the situation from Georgetown, the Rupununi stands at a crossroads. The coming months will determine whether the deep divisions among its people can be bridged, and whether the lessons of past exploitation will lead to a different outcome—or simply repeat themselves in a new, more industrial form.