ExxonMobil’s Liza development off Guyana slated for early startup

The ExxonMobil-operated Liza-1 development, located in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, is now expected to start production through the Liza Destiny FPSO in December 2019, which is earlier than expected. 

The Liza field sits in the giant Stabroek block, which covers almost 27,000 square kilometers, circa 200 kilometers offshore Guyana. ExxonMobil has struck more than a dozen oil discoveries at the block which are yet to be developed, meaning a couple of more FPSOs should be deployed in Guyana in the upcoming years.

The Stabroek Block is operated by ExxonMobil with a 45% interest while Hess and CNOOC Petroleum have 30% and 25% interest, respectively.

According to a Wednesday report by Hess, production from Phase 1 of Liza development is now targeted for startup in December 2019. First oil was previously expected to be produced in the first quarter of 2020.

Hess Chief Executive Officer, John Hess, said: “In September, we announced our 14th discovery in the Stabroek Block at Tripletail, offshore Guyana and are now targeting December for first oil from the Liza-1 development.”

The Liza Phase 1 development is now targeted to start production in December of this year and will produce up to 120,000 gross bopd utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO, which arrived in Guyana on August 29, 2019. The FPSO was converted from a VLCC by Keppel. It will be able to store 1.6 million barrels of crude oil.

The Liza Phase 2 development was sanctioned in May 2019 and will use the Liza Unity FPSO to produce up to 220,000 gross bopd, with first oil expected by mid-2022. Pending government approvals, a third development, Payara, is expected to produce up to 220,000 bopd with startup in 2023.

Full speed ahead on Stabroek Block

Hess also said that exploration and development drilling activities continue on the Stabroek Block.

After completion of operations at Tripletail, the Noble Tom Madden drillship will next drill the Uaru-1 exploration well, located approximately 10 miles east of the Liza-1 well.

The Stena Carron drillship is continuing drilling and evaluation activity at Ranger-2. The drillship will next conduct a production test at Yellowtail-1.

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is currently conducting development drilling operations for the Liza Phase 1 project.

A fourth drillship, the Noble Don Taylor, is expected to arrive in Guyana in November 2019 and will drill the Mako-1 exploration well located approximately 6 miles south of the Liza-1 well.

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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