As Exxon increases oil production, gov’t assured of ‘safety’ – Jagdeo

The ExxonMobil-led consortium producing oil from the giant Stabroek Block offshore Guyana is experiencing increased production and the country’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said the government is assured that operations remain safe.

Officials from ExxonMobil have highlighted intentions to optimise production at the Floating Production Offloading and Storage (FPSOs) operating offshore Guyana.

But Jagdeo said analysts from Guyana’s regulatory and oversight bodies- the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources assess whether any modifications can be carried out safely. If they can be, the consortium goes ahead with its plans.

“It is safe and it was on the basis of optimisation.

“… They’ve assured me that this was done and they had their technical people review these plans,” the Vice President said on Thursday during a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) press conference.

So far, there has been better-than-anticipated production at the FPSOs operating offshore.

Peak production at the Liza Destiny, the first oil-producing platform offshore Guyana, was initially 120,000 barrels of oil per day. That number was later revised to 140,000 barrels and now produces beyond 160,000 barrels daily.

Then there is the Liza Unity FPSO which initially targeted 220,000 barrels of oil per day. This week, ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager Alistair Routledge said peak production of 252,000 barrels was achieved.

The Prosperity FPSO has an initial production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day but this vessel too has shown its ability to produce more oil.

Jagdeo stressed that the EPA and Natural Resources make sure that the consortium can safely increase production at the vessels.