ExxonMobil Guyana disclosed on Tuesday that it recently conducted an exercise to field test spill response equipment, processes, and team readiness. It said this exercise was intended to ensure readiness to respond in the unlikely event of an offshore oil spill while utilizing available resources such as in-country personnel, vessels, and response equipment.
In a brief comment on the crucial exercise, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge said, “Our approach to emergency response is to prevent, prepare and practice. Prevention is our primary objective but training for potential scenarios is also an important component of that approach.”
Routledge added, “Through robust training and exercises, utilizing advanced technology, we ensure our response teams and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities and are ready to respond.”
OilNOW understands that the equipment was deployed at a location near the Sea Buoy Anchorage, off the Demerara River, utilizing two open-stern tugs.
With respect to the objectives of the exercise, ExxonMobil Guyana said this included confirming the state of readiness to transfer emergency kits onto a vessel, safely deploying a containment boom and skimmer packages, utilizing support vessels to deploy equipment in open water, and familiarising vessel crew with boom operations in open water.
The company also noted that the response team was also familiarised with the mobilization and offshore deployment of boom and skimmers in addition to the operation of dispersant application devices.
In addition to the foregoing exercises, Routledge in a statement on Monday was keen to note that the company has insurance coverage for all of its activities while noting that such coverage meets international standards.
Routledge even disclosed as well that ExxonMobil Guyana, operator of the Stabroek Block, is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and its co-venturers Hess Corporation and CNOOC, to put in place a combined US$2B package of affiliate company guarantees. Routledge was keen to note that this value exceeds equivalent guarantees required by regulators in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The ExxonMobil Guyana President also renewed his company’s commitment to protecting the citizenry and its environs while investing in projects that are sure to bring prosperity for current and future generations.
