An extensive exploration and appraisal drilling programme being carried out at the Stabroek Block this year has so far delivered a series of discoveries that will push the 9 billion plus barrels of oil equivalent higher even as the search for more crude continues.
In April, ExxonMobil, operator of the Stabroek Block, announced that it made a discovery at the Uaru-2 well where it encountered approximately 120 feet (36.7 meters) of high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery. The well was drilled in 5,659 feet (1,725 meters) of water and is located approximately 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) south of the Uaru-1 well.
Then in June, the company said drilling at Longtail-3 encountered 230 feet (70 meters) of net pay, including newly identified, high quality hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs below the original Longtail-1 discovery intervals. The well is located approximately two miles (3.5 kilometers) south of the Longtail-1 well and was drilled in more than 6,100 feet (1860 meters) of water.
In July Exxon announced that the Whiptail-1 well encountered 246 feet (75 meters) of net pay in high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. Drilling was also ongoing at the Whiptail-2 well, which encountered 167 feet (51 meters) of net pay in high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The Whiptail discovery is located approximately 4 miles southeast of the Uaru-1 discovery that was announced in January 2020 and approximately 3 miles west of the Yellowtail field.
The oil strikes continued this week with the announcement on Thursday that the Pinktail well encountered 220 feet (67 meters) of net pay in high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. Pinktail is located approximately 21.7 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of the Liza Phase 1 development. In making the Pinktail announcement, Exxon said in addition to successful appraisal of the Turbot discovery, the Turbot-2 well encountered 43 feet (13 meters) of net pay in a newly identified, high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir separate from the 75 feet (23 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir pay encountered in the original Turbot-1 discovery well. The Turbot-2 discovery is another example of the additional pay found in deeper reservoirs such as those encountered at the previously announced Whiptail discovery.
“These discoveries are part of an extensive well program in the Stabroek Block utilizing six drillships to test play extensions and new concepts, evaluate existing discoveries and complete development wells for the Liza Phase 2 and Payara projects,” said Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil.
Cousins said the exploration successes in the South American country continue to increase the discovered resource and will generate value for both the Guyanese people and Exxon’s shareholders.
