EXXONMOBIL Guyana has noted that it is almost complete with the final commissioning of the gas handling system and other improvements have led to reduced flaring and increased production.

Public and Government Affairs Adviser at Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Janelle Persaud, told the newspaper on Tuesday: “We continue to safely complete final commissioning of the gas handling system. We have two of the three gas handling systems online and are currently injecting or using 85 per cent of the produced gas from the reservoir. With gas reinjection online, we are able to ramp-up production and reduce flaring. Once the system is fully commissioned, we will be able to produce at full capacity.”

Last week, ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe, had cleared up information on issues encountered with the compressor system during a performance test which initially led to additional flaring.

It caused concern amongst Guyanese who received the reports that ExxonMobil flared a significant amount of natural gas due to challenges during production start-up. These challenges have since been alleviated with the option of gas re-injection.

Persaud stated: “Both the safety of the people working on the Liza Destiny and our efforts to minimise flaring are key priorities for ExxonMobil Guyana, and we will continue to work with the government of Guyana, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, to operate safely and in accordance with our environmental impact assessment and permit.”

Back in 2019, ExxonMobil had explained to media operatives that for the first period after ‘first oil’ there would be initial start-up flaring – authorised by the EPA – which occurs during the commissioning and initial start-up phases of the FPSO when gas and liquids are introduced into new facilities and equipment.

This flaring, it said, would not continue as routine and will only take place again in the case of an emergency whereby flaring will be used to immediately de-pressure the facility as part of a shut-down process to reduce risk.