ALL mariners are required to stay clear of Oil and Gas exploration vessels and navigate with caution in the vicinity within the Stabroek Block as Esso Exploration and production Guyana Ltd commenced survey operations.

This is according to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
MARAD, in a public notice published in the media, stated that the activities will be in support of drilling activities at the Hammerhed, Liza Phase 2, and Payara Well site within the Stabroek Block of the Guyana Maritime Zone that commenced on May, 5, 2019.
MARAD stated that this operation will incorporate the use of a vessel that will display the international signal for vessels engaged in such activities.

The Hammerhead survey area is approximately 81 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 81 square kilometers while Liza Phase 2 survey is approximately 96 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers six square kilometers.
Additionally, the Payara survey area is approximately 98 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 205 square kilometers.

MARAD noted that communication for mariners can be made on VHF Ch. 16 or via the Georgetown Light House.
ExxonMobil earlier this month said it has funded the Liza Phase 2 development offshore Guyana after it received government and regulatory approvals.

Liza Phase 2 will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day and further capitalize on the significant development potential of the Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil estimates producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

According to Exxon, a total of six drill centres are planned as well as approximately 30 wells, including 15 productions, nine water injection and six gas injection wells.
Phase 2 startup is expected in mid-2022 and will develop approximately 600 million barrels of oil.

Liza Phase 2 is expected to cost $6 billion, including a lease capitalization cost of approximately $1.6 billion, for the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

“With the government of Guyana and our partners, ExxonMobil is bringing industry-leading upstream capabilities to build upon Phase 1 and further develop the shared value of Guyana’s resources,” said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Oil & Gas Company. “We are actively pursuing significant development potential from numerous discoveries in the Stabroek Block.”

Liza Phase 1 remains on track to achieve first oil by the first quarter of 2020. It will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO, which is expected to arrive offshore Guyana in the third quarter of 2019.

Pending government and regulatory approvals, a final investment decision is expected later this year for a third phase of development, Payara, which is expected to produce between 180,000 and 220,000 barrels per day with startup as early as 2023.

ExxonMobil is evaluating additional development potential in other areas of the Stabroek Block, including at the Turbot area and Hammerhead.
By the end of 2019 ExxonMobil will have four drillships operating offshore Guyana.
Following well-completion activities at the recently-announced Yellowtail discovery, the Noble Tom Madden will move to the Hammerhead-2 well. The Stena Carron is completing a well test at the Longtail-1 discovery, and will then move to the Hammerhead-3 well.

Later in 2019, the Stena Carron will drill a second well at the Ranger discovery. The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is completing development drilling operations for Liza Phase 1.
ExxonMobil will add another exploration drillship, the Noble Don Taylor, in the fourth quarter of 2019.

As the projects proceed, the partners’ investment in the Guyanese economy continues to increase.
The number of Guyanese nationals supporting project activities more than doubled in 2018 to more than 1,000.

ExxonMobil and its co-venturers spent nearly $60 million with more than 500 Guyanese vendors in 2018.

More than 1,500 Guyanese companies are registered with the Centre for Local Business Development, which was founded by ExxonMobil and its co-venturers in 2017 with the mission of supporting local businesses to become globally competitive.