–  after two weeks FPSOs shutdown for connection

THE gas-to-energy pipeline, which is integral to the country’s future energy infrastructure, is now “essentially mechanically complete” and remains on course and on budget for completion by the end of 2024.
This is according to ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, during a press conference held at the company’s Georgetown headquarters on Wednesday.
Speaking about the progress, Routledge explained that key work was executed during the July-August period, which saw the shutdown of both the Liza Destiny and Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to facilitate the critical tie-in of gas risers to the pipeline.
This enables gas export through the gas-to-energy pipeline to the Wales Development Zone, where the onshore energy facility will be located.

“All the work that we needed to execute on the Liza One and Liza Two FPSOs — that is Liza Destiny and Unity — was completed during the July-August period.
“We had to shut down both of the FPSOs in order to tie in the risers, these gas risers, to enable gas export into the gas-to-energy pipeline. So, we completed the two shutdowns very successfully, on schedule, safely, and the two risers are tied in and connected to the pipeline,” Routledge said.
He further explained that the pipeline has now undergone extensive testing, including hydro-testing and pressure tests. Additionally, nitrogen has been introduced into the pipeline, ensuring its readiness to safely transport natural gas once the remaining project components are completed.
“We have a pipeline that is ready to introduce natural gas. Nitrogen is an inert gas, and it enables us to sit waiting for the rest of the project to be finished. Then, we can safely start the project,” Routledge explained, adding that the section of the project under ExxonMobil’s responsibility, from deep water to onshore at Wales, is expected to be fully completed by year’s end.

In addition to the gas riser tie-ins, Routledge detailed the maintenance work that was undertaken during the FPSO shutdowns. Maintenance tasks on equipment, along with deep bottlenecking work on the Unity FPSO, were completed successfully, allowing both FPSOs to return online.
“The FPSOs came back online, and in fact, have been producing at very steady rates. We’re anticipating that September, as we finalise all the details on the reporting, will be a record production month,” he shared.
Addressing concerns about production losses due to the 12-day shutdowns on each facility, Routledge clarified that there were no real losses, but rather deferred production.

“What happens in those sorts of instances is the production is deferred. It’s not that we lose the oil; it’s just produced later in the life of the asset,” he said, further noting that the deferred oil would be produced as the production plateau extends in the future.
Routledge pointed out that the temporary shutdowns also led to increased employment, as additional workers were needed to complete the shutdown work.

A temporary floating accommodation vessel, the Dan Swift, was brought alongside each FPSO to house the extra personnel required to execute the tasks.
“Nobody lost any employment or revenue during that time. In fact, we typically employed more people who came on board in order to execute the additional work effort that’s required. So, no losses on that side — actually, more employment,” Routledge said.

This highly anticipated project will see a 200-kilometre pipeline bringing natural gas from the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity Floating Production fields onshore.

Upon arrival at this West Coast Demerara facility, the pipeline will continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant to be constructed in Wales.
Upon completion, the gas-to-energy project will have a significant impact on the country’s economy, attracting sustainable investments across various sectors, and creating numerous job opportunities.
The project is slated to be completed by 2025, with Government having paid about US$400 million – more than half of the project cost.

The aim is to complete the necessary transmission lines and substations by the end of the year, ensuring a seamless distribution network along the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
By providing a more reliable and cost-effective energy source, the initiative could drastically reduce the frequency and duration of power outages while also, as part of the energy, cutting the cost of electricity by almost 50 per cent.
Such improvements would not only enhance the quality of life for Guyanese but also foster a more conducive environment for business and industry growth.

ExxonMobil Guyana, along with partners Hess and CNOOC, through their subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has provided an assurance to the government that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported via the pipeline by 2024.
The pipeline will be able to transport a maximum of 130 million standard cubic feet per day. The project offers the dual benefits of reducing energy costs and meeting the increasing electricity demand in Guyana.