ExxonMobil has announced that the drilling of the first of two planned wells offshore Guyana has begun. The Haimara-1 exploration well, located 19 miles (31 km) east of the Pluma-1 discover in southeast Stabroek Block, is being drilled by the Stena Carron drillship, with the Noble Tom Madden drillship expected to drill the second well. Named the Tilapia-1, the second well is located in the growing Turbot area, which is 3 miles (5 km) west of the Longtail-1 discovery.
“We continue to prioritize high-potential prospects in close proximity to previous discoveries in order to establish opportunities for material and efficient development,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “Like the Liza and Payara areas, the Turbot area is on its way to offering significant development options that will maximize value for Guyana and our partners.”
The Liza Phase 1 development has moved into its peak execution phase ahead of the expected star-up in early 2020. The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is continuing the drilling of development wells in the Liza field, and preparing subsea equipment for installation, while the topside facilities modules are being installed on the Liza Destiny floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in Singapore.
Preparations are underway for the commencement of pipe-laying activities in the Liza field in the spring. The Liza Destiny FPSO is expected to sail from Singapore to arrive offshore Guyana in the third quarter of 2019.
At least five FPSOs on the Stabroek Block have the potential to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025. Liza Phase 2 is expected to start up by mid-2022. Pending government and regulatory approvals, project sanction is expected first quarter 2019 and will use a second FPSO designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day. Sanctioning of a third development, Payara, is also expected in 2019 with start up as early as 2023.
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