Balanced article and good reading. Thank you.

Excellent write up! Good luck to BPC next year.

Mr. Coulson,

Your thinking, which is so closely aligned with all other "businessmen" in this world is exactly what needs to change. The IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, along with most every honest scientist, have stated unequivocally that humanity must radically change our way of life to avoid catastrophe. They say this must be done immediately.
But, let's just start with your premises.

You say, "The publicity about the recent oil-spill at the Equinor storage terminal in Grand Bahama infects any discussion about two other oil related projects in our country, one half-baked, the other sensible." Now, according to you, one is half-baked, the other is sensible. Yet, both are whole heartedly embraced by our government. So, how is it that this same government who is tasked with reviewing the environmental impacts, deciding how this hoped for windfall will be used, cannot follow your logic and realize that one of these projects is half-baked. Please tell, Coulson.

"To summarise my view: I hope the project succeeds with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, as I believe it poses minimal risk to Bahamian natural resources. The greater risk falls on the intrepid investors who have sunk nearly $100 million into this venture starting back in 2007, with no assured return." Let's take this, I believe it poses minimal risk to Bahamian natural resources. What do you spend your day doing Mr. Coulson? While I try and respect others beliefs, I have to ask what expertise do you have on the state of natural resources anywhere? How is it that so many scientists who study natural resources, here in The Bahamas and elsewhere are saying we have some very serious issues to contend with. For your information, the most valuable natural resources we have on this planet are under immediate threat. I maintain that you have little to no knowledge about the true state of our natural resources, or you wouldn't make such a flippant, and wrong statement. And, "the greater risk falls on the intrepid investors............" Yikes! Oh, Mr. Coulson. The investors are the only ones with a risk in this equation? No risk to our economy? No risk to our moral standing? No risk to humanity, even though many thousands of people with imminently more knowledge that yourself on this issue say so? No risk that the way the business class has conducted its business for the last couple of hundred years may just be wrong. Completely wrong. Is this the limit to our god given intelligence?

"The sensible project is the proposed drilling by Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), incorporated in the Isle of Man, listed with full disclosure on the London Stock Exchange, and controlled by clearly identified venture capital equity investors from abroad, with not a penny of Bahamas government money committed."
Let me get this straight, Coulson. Because a company is incorporated in the Isle of Man, a tax haven jurisdiction, and because it is listed on the London Stock Exchange and not a penny came from the Bahamian government, this gives this company legitimacy? You obviously have a stake in this endeavor, or you are lacking the requisite mumber of neurons needed to bring us into the future.

You go on, "Government has granted BPC licences to explore in five off-shore sites about 100 miles southwest of Andros, near the Cuban border." Hey, wait a minute. Isn't this the same government that signed a Heads of Agreement with Oban, which you called half-baked. But, now you want us to believe that an agreement with this government has merit. That this government is capable, both intellectually and morally, to review the Environmental Impacts of this project? Do I need to remind you, Mr. Coulson, of the number of extremely poor decisions this government, as well as the ones that came before, has made?
Also, Mr. Coulson, I must ask, do you realize who many billions of dollars have flowed through this country, through this government, over the years, only to be squandered? Stolen. mismanaged, wasted. Why is it that this country is down on its economic knees after so many billions of dollars have been dropped on these shores? Both literally and figuratively. Isn't this a legitimate question?
And yet, all of a sudden, with this sovereign wealth fund, we are all going to be doing better? Please Mr. Coulson. Get real.

Mr. Coulson goes on, "Outspoken groups like Re-Earth, Save the Bays, and BREEF play a valuable role in protecting our environment, but should take a rational view of BPC’s drilling." For god's sake. How flucking nauseating. You are considered rational for proposing drilling for oil, while "outspoken" groups are only valuable in protecting our environment. I cannot think of a more uneducated statement made this year, shy of some of the shit that comes out of President Trump's mouth.
Mr. Coulson, your viewpoints and words are holding us back as a species. It hurts me to read your utter foolishness. And further, that some kids may actually read and be influenced by your pornography. Mr. Coulson, you have inhabited a world where money is a god. The economy is king, to the sidelining of everything else. The chickens have come home to roost. Your worldview is what is killing this planet. That is why we have to stand up and say so. Not to read my own words, but to fight for a chance for our kids. Are you that dense that you continue on despite the earth's doctors saying unequivocally that we are headed in exactly the wrong direction. Your thinking is exactly the wrong direction this world needs at present. We have listened to the white, male businessmen for long enough. Enough with your foolishness, Coulson. The world's learned decent people and communities are DIVESTING from fossil fuels. Wake up, Coulson.

"When, and if, oil is discovered and flows in commercial quantities, The Bahamas could reap substantial benefits. Once BPC recovers its development costs and operating expenses, revenue from petroleum sales in the international markets (of unpredictable size, since dictated by world crude prices) will be split 50-50 between BPC and government, allowing accumulation of cash for a Sovereign Investment Fund, the same path that Norway has followed to become a prosperous nation since North Sea oil was discovered in the late 1960s."
Here we flucking go again. The 60's? That was nearly 60 years ago. Nothing has changed in your worldview in 60 years? When, if, could. unpredictable. Hmmm. an awful lot of speculation here, wouldn't you say, Mr. Coulson. Yeah, I'm sure our erstwhile leaders will follow exactly the same path that Norway did. No other comparisons needed. Not with the educational level, the social makeup, the socialist economy, and not even a critique of historical events. All so sweetly easy Mr. Coulson. Just like Norway. Mr. Coulson, you are either dishonest or a con artist. Or, both.

"The worst example is the tiny west African nation of Equatorial Guinea, whose massive petroleum revenues are diverted for the exclusive enjoyment of the ruling elite. Quite true, but I am confident The Bahamas will never descend to the abysmal level of corruption, oppression and public poverty created by the family dynasty that has held power for over 30 years in that benighted nation."
Mr. Couson, I really need not say any more. To your eyes, it is the abysmal level of corruption, oppression and public poverty created by a family dynasty that has spelled doom for this otherwise windfall for the people. Nothing to do with the accounting tricks used by all oil companies to make sure that the people in these countries where oil is found get little to nothing? Nothing to do with inflating costs, investor payouts, huge bonuses for the executives, reducing what they say they sold the oil for? Never any attempt by these oil companies to keep as much money as criminally possible, while the people of these countries are left dealing with the cancerous, environmentally destructive and deadly effects from the oil extraction industries of which the real money men will never ever witness for themselves. They must remain in denial, so that they can, without guilt, continue to collect their salaries, write opinion pieces, go to church on Sundays, and have everyone around them see them as outstanding citizens, well meaning and well educated and protectors of freedom. Ugggg.

And, you are confident Mr. Coulson, that The Bahamas will NEVER descend to this abysmal level of corruption?
Do you not read the paper that you contribute to? Are you this removed from reality? Honestly.
Where did all the NIB money go? Where did all of the BEC/BP money go? Where did Water and Sewerage money go? Where did Bank of Bahamas money go? Where did Bahamas Air money go? Where did Road and Traffic money go? Do we need to go on? Was this simple incompetence, low productivity and mismanagement, Mr. Coulson? What of the daily papers highlighting the level of corruption among our elected officials? And, you don't question why Oban, despite all of the obvious irregularities, if I may be so bold, is still here on the table? Or, do you know something the rest of us do not? Please tell us what your definition of "abysmal corruption" is, Mr. Coulson.

Coulson lost his ethics a long time ago and more recently his marbles. He will say and do whatever it takes to try put a dollar in his pocket. He more than deserves all of the quills you have stuck in him Porcupine.