ExxonMobil has received the approval of the new government of Guyana for development of the Payara field, much to the angst of many advocates.
Payara is the third project in the Stabroek Block and is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after startup in 2024, using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The $9 billion development will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels. Ten drill centers are planned along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21 injection wells.
“ExxonMobil is committed to building on the capabilities from our Liza Phase 1 and 2 offshore oil developments as we sanction the Payara field and responsibly develop Guyana’s natural resources,” said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Oil & Gas Company. “We continue to prioritize high-potential prospects in close proximity to discoveries and maximize value for our partners, which includes the people of Guyana.”
ExxonMobil’s first offshore Guyana project, Liza Phase 1, began producing in late 2019, well ahead of the industry average for development time. Liza Phase 2, remains on track to begin producing oil by early 2022. It will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates using the Liza Unity FPSO, which is under construction in Singapore.
The news comes as Guyana’s new President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, has said that his administration is looking to expand beyond the oil sector including having four new branded hotels constructed here over the next five years.
The President made this disclosure during a recent interview with Jamaica’s CEEN TV – ‘The Conversation,’ noting that the government has already launched Expressions of Interest for the hotels. Ali said that while the petroleum sector has emerged as one of the most important to Guyana’s economy, the government is focusing on expanding and making the traditional sectors more competitive.