Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed on Tuesday via two screening decision documents that no Environmental Impact Assessment needs to be conducted for ExxonMobil’s proposed 24 well campaign at the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks. The regulatory body said its screening process has determined that project impacts would be negligible to low, short-term, and localized.
Be that as it may, the EPA said Exxon’s local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is still required to submit an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which would outline the measures to be implemented to mitigate the impacts associated with the project.
EEPGL submitted an application last year for a 12 Well Exploration and Appraisal drilling Programme in the Kaieteur License Area which is located approximately 200 km offshore from Georgetown, Guyana. The drilling of the wells is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022. Conclusion of the proposed drilling campaign is expected by the first quarter of 2027.
Based on the water depths in the Kaieteur Block, multiple dynamically positioned drill ships would be used to drill the wells. EEPGL said the Kaieteur Multiwell Programme aims to gather data on the reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon presence, pressure, and temperatures. If the presence of hydrocarbons is discovered, wells will be tested to establish the limits of the reservoir. Additionally, EEPGL said the productivity of wells and the oil or gas properties present will be tested. Once the proposed drilling operations are complete, the exploration well will be permanently plugged and abandoned.
EEPGL had also submitted an application for a 12 Well Exploration and Appraisal drilling Programme in the Canje License Area, Offshore Guyana. This activity is also scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022 and conclude by the first quarter of 2025.
Oil NOW understands that the Canje 12 well Programme aims to gather data on the reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon presence, pressure, and temperatures. If the presence of hydrocarbons is discovered, EEPGL said wells will be tested to establish the limits of the reservoir.
ExxonMobil’s affiliate, EEPGL is operator at the Canje Block with 35% interest. Total also holds a 35% stake with JHI Associates, Inc. holding 17.5% and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas, Inc. holding 12.5%.
In the Kaieteur Block, ExxonMobil is operator with a 35% stake while Hess Corporation holds 20 %. Catelya Energy retains a 20% interest in the Kaieteur Block, whilst Ratio holds 25%.
