THE countdown to Guyana’s ‘first-oil’ production set for March 2020 is well under way, ExxonMobil reaffirmed on Tuesday and the government has between now and then to get things right regarding its preparedness.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, related these sentiments at the commemoration reception of the Liza Phase 1 development campaign hosted at the Cara Lodge on Tuesday.

It was attended by Ministers of Government, ExxonMobil heads, members of the international community and representatives of the private sector.
There, ExxonMobil Development Company Vice-President Lisa Waters told the gathering that following a successful first year of the company’s development project, the Liza Destiny FPSO is on schedule to deliver first- oil offshore.

“The Noble Bob Douglas drillship recently started drilling the Liza development wells. We just visited it yesterday, it’s a great operation and they’re making great progress and we’re on track for first-oil in March of 2020,” she said.

Walters said the company’s exploration programme has been “extremely successful,” noting the estimated total of more than $3.2 B recoverable oil- equivalent barrels from just a portion of the Stabroek Block.

She reiterated the company’s dedication to working with the government and citizens for the best possible outcome in the country.
“We’re committed to working together for the long term and we continue to look forward to working together with the people and Government of Guyana, creating new opportunities, unlocking revenue and improving standards of living,” she said.
‘A second chance’
Meanwhile, Minister Trotman announced that as Guyana approaches its destiny for potential greatness, each stakeholder involved must remain focused on creating a better life for all Guyanese.
“Today, I believe, we have a second chance, a jubilee opportunity to get it right. Guyana has waited 50-plus years to remove the negative labels such as ‘third world’, ‘backward’, ‘underdeveloped’ and ‘developing’.

“With the blessings that have been revealed and are now within our grasp, we propose to develop a modern, peaceful and cohesive state. One in which every man, woman and child, without exception, without reservation and without any form of discrimination is able to enjoy the full and equal benefits of the bounty we are about to be bestowed,” he said.
At the same time, Trotman said that the government respects the rights of persons who disagree with their strategies, but asserted that ExxonMobil must be permitted the same rights and obligations as any other company.

“ExxonMobil, a company that has been in Guyana since 1999, has the same or very similar contractual terms as was Anadarko, CGX, Repsol, Ratio, Eco Atlantic and Mid Atlantic, to name a few.

“In that regard, they will enjoy the same rights and obligations as every other company that has been contracted by the government to explore and develop our hydrocarbons,” he said.

Brief remarks came too from Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, who lauded the partnership between the government and ExxonMobil, one which he said is aimed at becoming a long-term relationship.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, said that the celebration marks a significant milestone in the company’s partnership with Guyana, which has resulted in the growth of local business capacity and investments into the economy.

Some of the accomplishments he noted were the creation of some 585 new jobs for Guyanese; 52 per cent of the projects’ workforce represented by Guyanese and over G$2.8B spent on local suppliers in the first quarter of 2018.

He also highlighted the 227 Guyanese-owned companies benefiting from the company’s operations and the establishment of the Centre for Local Business Development ,where local firms can strengthen their competitiveness.

“It truly is my sincere honour and privilege to work here in Guyana on this project, I’m very proud to be part of the team and be part of this venture that I know will bring so many benefits to the country,” Henson said.

A year ago in June 2017, ExxonMobil was issued a production licence by the Ministry of Natural Resources to begin the Liza Phase 1 development project, while the company had announced its first oil find in Guyana in 2015.