ExxonMobil returns after Ebola

US oil giant Exxon Mobil has returned here with a renewed commitment to oil exploration and the development of the sector in spite of plummeting prices on the world market.

Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has hailed the Exxon Mobil return describing it as a clear demonstration of investor’s confidence, while the world continues to be reeling from dwindling prices on the global market.

Speaking during a courtesy call at her temporary office at the Foreign Ministry office Thursday she noted that although the work of ExxonMobil was in part hampered by the outbreak of the Ebola crisis, the company’s return, which is characterized by the reopening of its Liberia offices, was reassuring and indicative of genuine partnership.

President Sirleaf, however, informed the Exxon Mobil four-man senior management delegation led by its new Country Manager, Mr. Steve P. Buck that there is currently before the National Legislature a draft Law that seeks to establish a New Petroleum Law for Liberia and essentially meets international best practices and underpins mutuality of interest.

An Executive Mansion releases said, earlier, ExxonMobil-Liberia new Country Manager, Mr. Steve P. Buck, said his scope of work would concentrate on mobilizing the necessary logistics as well as put together a math-based computer model for deep water oil drilling towards the end of next year.

He indicated that ExxonMobil was determined to fully comply with environmental regulations geared towards the acquisition of appropriate permits to facilitate the company’s operations in Liberia. The ExxonMobil-Liberia executive said he had fruitful and productive meetings with officials of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) as to his company’s operations in the country and added that ExxonMobil remains committed to doing business with Liberia.

The delegation comprised Public and Government Affairs Africa Advisor, Oliver S. Cashin; Public and Government and Government Affairs Advisor, Matthew W. Scharf and ExxonMobil – Liberia Liaison Officer, Nathaniel Jallah.