The reliability of the floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block, remains unmatched. So said its Upstream President Liam Mallon during an interview with OilNOW.
“…these facilities are running as reliable or more reliable than anything that we have in my upstream portfolio today,” he said.
The massive FPSO vessels were built and are being operated by Dutch floater specialist SBM Offshore.
The first FPSO built for ExxonMobil’s Guyana operations was the Liza Destiny, currently producing 140,000 barrels of oil per day. This is a 17% increase in its originally stated production capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. According to ExxonMobil Guyana’s Production Manager, Mike Ryan, the vessel can produce over 150,000 barrels of oil per day.
In 2021, the Liza Destiny was among the top five highest-scoring units for safety in SBM Offshore’s global fleet.
The second vessel – the Liza Unity – is even more impressive.
Producing 220,000 barrels per day, it was the first FPSO in the world to be awarded the Sustain-1 Notation from leading classification society, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
It was also the first ever to be built with SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward® design. The concept is based on five key principles: engaging early with clients, standardisation, focus on flawless execution, partnering with the supply chain and use of digital solutions in today’s volatile environment.
Guyana’s third production vessel – Prosperity – was also built with this sustainable design. It is currently en route to the Stabroek Block for startup. Exxon plans to have every other Stabroek Block FPSO built with that very sustainable design.
Then, there is the ONE GUYANA vessel for Exxon’s Yellowtail development currently under construction by SBM Offshore.
ONE GUYANA will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day with a storage capacity of two million barrels of oil. The FPSO will also have a water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and will be able to process up to 450 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
And for its next development – Uaru – Exxon is also targeting a large vessel. This unit will be constructed by Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company Inc. (MODEC).
The FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 350,000 barrels per day.
With the entry of another manufacturer to the Guyana FPSO market, the Exxon Upstream President remains assured that the new vessel will be built to current standards.
“We are very familiar with their capabilities whether we are working directly with them or indirectly in partnership, and we are very confident that both can learn and replicate the necessary systems to ensure efficient development,” he told OilNOW, adding “We are very confident in that.”
