ExxonMobil nearly ready to start up Guyana FPSO compressor

Oil major ExxonMobil is preparing to start up a gas compressor on SBM Offshore’s Liza Destiny FPSO, operating offshore Guyana, this week following a technical issue that started in January 2021.

As previously reported, ExxonMobil started experiencing technical issues with the gas compressor on the SBM Offshore-owned FPSO Liza Destiny, which is working on the Liza field located offshore Guyana, last January.

The technical issue was related to a seal on the gas compressor on the FPSO Liza Destiny, prompting the company to temporarily increase the flare above pilot levels to maintain safe operations.

Experts in Germany then started working to define the required scope of repairs to the compressor and silencer and ExxonMobil has been working together with SBM Offshore and the equipment manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions to fix the issue.

After completing necessary repairs, upgrades, and mechanical testing at the MAN Energy Solutions workshop, key components of the gas compressor left Germany and arrived in Guyana earlier in March, after which the offshore team started working on the reinstallation and repairs.

In an update on Wednesday, ExxonMobil said that teams of experts are making final preparations for the start-up of the flash gas compressor this week on the Liza Destiny FPSO, in order to restore the flare to background levels.

According to the company, the team offshore has been carefully and methodically reassembling the various components of the gas compression system, and are now running key instrumentation tests for a successful start-up.

Throughout this period, ExxonMobil Guyana has sought to strike a balance between safely maintaining production while minimising flaring.

“We have kept relevant government agencies and other stakeholders informed about the progress of the repairs and reinstallation”, ExxonMobil said.

“While the issues with the equipment have been disappointing and the COVID-19 circumstances have been challenging, we are committed to applying the lessons learned to improve the performance of our ongoing operations as well as future projects”, ExxonMobil concluded.

The FPSO Liza Destiny started producing oil from the Liza field in December 2019, less than five years after the first discovery of hydrocarbons.

The concept design for the Liza Phase 1 development project features the Liza Destiny FPSO moored 190 kilometres offshore Guyana, and four subsea drill centres supporting 17 wells.