The proposed Hammerhead development is set to create up to 1,380 jobs, preliminary estimates from ExxonMobil indicate.
The jobs span four stages of the project.
A project summary filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that approximately 540 persons would be employed at peak, utilizing 2-3 drillships. That would be approximately 180 persons per drillship, with the final estimate depending on the drillships and support vessels selected.
The second stage would include mobilization, installation and hookup of the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel and the subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines. Exxon estimates this stage would employ approximately 600 persons at peak.
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The production phase, including FPSO and support vessels, is estimated to employ approximately 100-180 persons at peak.
Finally, decommissioning work would employ approximately 60 persons at peak.
Exxon said that, in addition to the offshore components, there will be a comparatively smaller number of persons providing shorebase and logistical support onshore, added to personnel already engaged in supporting other ExxonMobil-led projects. The onshore staff would be expected to ramp up gradually during the mobilization and installation stage, then return to the same level or slightly higher. The onshore workforce is also expected to increase briefly during decommissioning.
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More detailed estimates are expected once the planning and design for the project is finalized. Guyana’s Local Content legislation, added in 2021, ensures that Guyanese workers will play a significant role in this project.
Logistical support is expected to be shared among Hammerhead and the six already approved projects.
Hammerhead is expected to produce 120,000-180,000 barrels of oil per day (b/d), likely taking total production capacity offshore Guyana to 1.5 million b/d. It is expected to achieve first oil in 2029.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested an environmental impact assessment (EIA) from Exxon, as part of the review of its application for an environmental permit. The company is holding a series of meetings with members of the public along the Guyana coast.
Exxon is also expected to compile and submit a field development plan (FDP) for review by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The government budgeted approximately US$480,000 this year to fund the review of this application.
ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% stake, partnered with Hess (30%) and CNOOC (25%).
