Wed, Jul 1, 2026
Wed, Jul 1, 2026
Exxon producing 120,000 barrels oil per day, says flaring continues but not extreme
More than a week after it announced damages to a compressor on the Liza Destiny, and then later said it had reduced production to keep flaring at a minimum, ExxonMobil Monday said that it was producing at what has always been stated as the maximum production – 120,000 barrels of oil per day.
During a virtual media briefing, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alister Routledge explained that the company was addressing the issue seriously and working around the clock to get the compressor fixed so that flaring can discontinue.
“We are working 24/7 to get it fixed as quickly as possible… we don’t want to be in this position,” he said.
Flaring is currently occurring at 16 million cubic feet per day; that’s one million more than it is permitted. The ExxonMobil boss assured that efforts were being made to minimize this.
“The Kingston power plant has higher emissions than our flaring… it’s not extreme emission… but we don’t want extended flaring,” he added.
Routledge said ExxonMobil continues to work with government agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure the company is in compliance with expectations, their permits and the regulations of Guyana.
The compressor failed on the night of January 27, 2021 and ExxonMobil had subsequently announced that it had reduced production.
Meanwhile, Production Manager Mike Ryan said ExxonMobil regrets that it has to flare above permitted levels and it is doing everything possible to get back to zero flaring.
Ryan said Guyana’s next lift is scheduled for next week and will go on as planned.
The reduction in production had no impact on the lift schedule, he assured.
Ryan explained that an initial examination determined that the unit had to be sent for repairs in Germany where it is expected to arrive on February 9.
The full extent of the damage will not be known until a detailed inspection of the compressor can take place at the workshop of the manufacturer, MAN Turbo in Germany.