Exxon steps up final preparations for first oil within weeks

During an appearance on the 94.1FM Jumpstart Morning show, the Senior Director confirmed that “first oil will definitely be within the coming weeks,” but added that it could be before the end of the year.

Exxon steps up final preparations for first oil within weeks

As anticipation continues to mount for the production of oil in Guyana, the ExxonMobil company appears to be pushing for first oil before the end of this year.

The revelation was made on Wednesday by ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe.

During an appearance on the 94.1FM Jumpstart Morning show, the Senior Director confirmed that “first oil will definitely be within the coming weeks,” but added that it could be before the end of the year. 

“It is certainly possible that it can happen before the end of December. We are ahead in a lot of our activities to date and as long as our final checks go well, it is certainly possible” she disclosed.  

ExxonMobil has already made 14 discoveries of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs just off the coast of Guyana. 

At present, the company is in its “hookup and commissioning phase” which means the final connection of all equipment from the seafloor to the Liza Destiny – the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

Liza Destiny is designed to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, with a storage capacity of up to 1.6 million barrels. 

The vessel will be used in the Liza Phase One Project which is approximately 190 kilometers offshore in water depths of 1,500– 1,900 meters, according to ExxonMobil. 

Currently, there are four drill centers with 17 wells in total, eight oil-producing wells, six water injection wells, and three gas reinjection wells.

But according to the company’s Senior Director, oil is introduced in the system, they are working to ensure that the entire operation is safe, and production is done in an environmentally responsible way. 

“That is the important thing for us. So if it takes 10 more days or if it takes two more months, we will do everything we can to ensure those checks are done the right way” she added. 

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs Deedra Moe

Moe reiterated that the possibility of first oil before the end of the year is quite likely given that they are ahead of production. And when oil is actually produced, she said that the announcement will be made immediately for Guyana to share in the celebration. 

She also noted that oil production presents an opportunity for Guyana to embrace a growing sector that can provide revenues that allow the economy and the country to grow it sees fit. 

“Hopefully that will allow for the flexibility for the country to progress in areas it wanted to progress in, in the past. Ultimately the best benefit will be revenue to the country in the long term” the Senior Director noted. 

She also boasted of the efforts of the company to increase local content, noting that more than 1700 employees are currently employed by ExxonMobil.

“We’re currently employing over 1700 Guyanese and that is pretty significant. It is really remarkable to have that type of local content so early in the project before the first oil. We are really proud of that” she added.

(by Ravin Singh)

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