Exxon taps SBM Offshore for Liza FPSO job

ExxonMobil has awarded a contract to SBM Offshore to supply an FPSO unit for its giant Liza discovery offshore Guyana.

According to ExxonMobil, this floating production storage and offloading vessel deal marks a key step in moving the Liza field toward first production.

SBM Offshore, the world’s largest FPSO provider, will carry out front end engineering and design for the FPSO, and, subject to a final investment decision on the project in 2017, will construct, install and operate the vessel.

The Liza field has a potential resource estimate in excess of 1 billion oil-equivalent barrels and is located in the Stabroek block, which covers almost 27,000 square kilometers, approximately 193 kilometers offshore Guyana.

ExxonMobil submitted an application for a production license and its initial development plan for the Liza field in early December. The development plan, submitted to the Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources, includes development drilling, operation of the FPSO, and subsea, umbilical, riser and flowline systems.

ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 percent interest.