
ExxonMobil has made an oil discovery at the Uaru-2 well in the Stabroek Block offshore of Guyana. Uaru-2 will add to the previously announced gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block, which is currently estimated to be approximately 9 billion oil-equivalent barrels.
Drilling at Uaru-2 encountered approximately 36.7 metres of high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery.
The well was drilled in 1,725 metres of water and is located approximately 11 kilometres south of the Uaru-1 well.
“The Uaru-2 discovery enhances our work to optimally sequence development opportunities in the Stabroek Block,” said Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil.
“Progressing our industry-leading investments and well-executed exploration plans are vital in order to continue to develop Guyana’s offshore resources that unlock additional value for the people of Guyana and all stakeholders.”
In January 2020, ExxonMobil announced Uaru-1 was the 16th discovery in the Stabroek Block. The well encountered approximately 29 metres of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 1,933 metres of water.
In March 2021, ExxonMobil secured a sixth drillship, the Noble Sam Croft, for exploration and evaluation drilling activities offshore Guyana.
A fourth project, Yellowtail, has been identified within the block with anticipated start-up in late 2025 pending government approvals and project sanctioning.
The project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located about 30 kilometres southeast of the Liza developments.
ExxonMobil anticipates at least six projects online by 2027 and sees potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop its current recoverable resource balance. The start-up of Liza Phase 2 remains on target for 2022, with the Liza Unity FPSO preparing to sail from Singapore to Guyana later this year.
The Unity FPSO has a production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates.
The hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel, the third project at the Payara Field, is complete, and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore with a start-up target of 2024.
The Stabroek Block spans 26,800 square kilometres. ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.