ExxonMobil has tested oil and gas prospects while appraising an existing discovery in Guyana’s Stabroek Block since the start of 2026.
OilNOW reports published between January and August show work at Barreleye-3, Goatfish-1, Goby-1, and Rockhead-1. The company has also contracted a rig for an unnamed shallow-water prospect in 2027.
The activity comes as ExxonMobil seeks additional resources beyond the 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent already discovered in the block. Its exploration license is scheduled to expire in October 2027.
Barreleye-3 was the first well publicly reported in 2026. Drilling continued in January as ExxonMobil assessed the Barreleye discovery, which was made in 2022 about 20 miles southeast of the Liza field.
Barreleye encountered about 230 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone. ExxonMobil later drilled Barreleye-2 and conducted a drill stem test. The Barreleye-3 appraisal is intended to provide more information on the reservoir and possible development options. The Maritime Administration Department reported that additional activity at the well was scheduled from June 13 to August 31.
Exploration shifted to Goatfish-1 in February. The prospect is in the southeastern section of the block near the maritime border with Suriname. It lies about 202 kilometers offshore Guyana.
The Noble Sam Croft started the campaign before the Stena Carron continued drilling. ExxonMobil has said earlier discoveries in that section of the block contained more natural gas than oil. The government has encouraged the operator to advance development of Guyana’s gas resources.
The Stena Carron moved to Goby-1 in May. ExxonMobil confirmed that the prospect targeted oil. The well is about 291 kilometers offshore and drilling was scheduled to continue through July 31. No result has been publicly announced.
Rockhead-1 emerged as the next named oil target in August. The Stena Carron is drilling the prospect about 213 kilometers offshore Guyana. Operations are scheduled to conclude on August 31.
Another prospect is planned for the shallow-water section of the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil awarded the Noble Developer a one-well contract that is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
The company said the rig would be used “to drill a prospect in the shallow water portion of the Stabroek block, which cannot be addressed by our current fleet.” The prospect has not been named and ExxonMobil has not identified whether it targets oil or gas. ExxonMobil also identified four potential discovery opportunities after applying artificial intelligence to Stabroek Block data. Chief Financial Officer Neil Hansen disclosed the work during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on July 31.
ExxonMobil operates the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest. Chevron-owned Hess holds 30%, while CNOOC holds 25%.
