Exxon seeking approval for sixth project in prolific Stabroek Block

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, is seeking approval from Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the development of its sixth oil project in the offshore Stabroek Block: the Whiptail Project.

The EPA, in a notice published in the Sunday Chronicle newspaper, announced that the company was seeking the requisite environmental authorisation to execute this project.

In keeping with Guyana’s Environmental Protection Act, the EPA has determined that the project may significantly impact the environment and as such, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required before any approval or rejection is granted.

In a project summary, it was detailed that the Whiptail Project will be implemented in multiple stages and will include well drillings; the mobilisation and installation of subsea equipment, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SUF), the installation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility (FPSO) and decommissioning.

The project, the EPA further related, will be undertaken in the marine offshore environment and would require land-based activities for support at marine shore bases.

“As a result of the intended developmental activities, possible effects to the environment may include impacts on marine water quality, air quality, marine fauna, socio-economic resources, among others,” the EPA notice stated also.

Because of the potential adverse impacts, members of the public are invited to make written submissions to the Agency on questions and matters which they require to be answered in the EIA.

Such efforts must be made within 28 days of the notice and addressed to the EPA’s Executive Director.

The Whiptail project, if approved, will be the oil company’s sixth massive project offshore Guyana. Other projects include Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara, Yellowtail and Uaru.

Based on current estimates, Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block has about 11 billion barrels of commercially recoverable oil resources. Natural gas is also found within the Stabroek Block and will be harnessed in coming years to fire a power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

And Guyana’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali said that Guyana will see a massive ramp up of oil production by 2027.

During an interview with China’s CGTN, which aired on Saturday, President Ali said that the country expects to produce about one million barrels of oil daily by 2027.

“What that gives us is the opportunity to build out the other sectors, make the other sectors more competitive,” President Ali said.

Currently, there are two oil ships- the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity- producing about 360,000 barrels per day of oil offshore Guyana.