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Contact:
Office of the Prime Minister
Friday, October 31, 2008 – The Government and people of St. Lucia have
had a long and rewarding relationship with Hess Oil St. Lucia since the signing
of a concession agreement in 1977. This agreement paved the way for the building
of the large crude oil terminal owned and operated by Hess in Cul de Sac
harbour. The terminal has been in operation for almost 35 years.
Last year government successfully negotiated an extension of that agreement
which provided for increased through-put charges now being collected by
Government. The Government and Hess also agreed under the extension agreement
that Hess would purchase the lands adjacent to the terminal. In completing this
transfer, certain site investigations of an environmental nature, including the
possible future relocation of the road that runs through the property, have been
undertaken. The agreement also extended the option Hess has always had under the
original concession agreement to build a refinery on St. Lucia.
Whilst Hess has indicated to the Government of Saint Lucia that the recent world
economic conditions do not allow for the Corporation to commence immediately the
construction of a refinery, Government expects that should economic conditions
improve Hess will fulfill its obligations under the concession agreement.
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