ExxonMobil Guyana’s exploration drilling in the Stabroek Block during the first half of 2026 has focused on three publicly reported wells: Barreleye-3, Goatfish-1, and Goby-1.
The campaign shows a mix of appraisal work, gas-focused exploration, and a fresh oil target as the block moves into the final stretch of its current exploration window.
Barreleye-3 was the first publicly reported exploration activity for the year. ExxonMobil Guyana continued drilling at the well site in January as it advanced appraisal work on the Barreleye discovery.
The operation was carried out by the Noble Don Taylor rig. Drilling was scheduled to conclude on February 8, according to a notice from Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department.
Barreleye was discovered in 2022 and is located about 20 miles southeast of the Liza field, Guyana’s first offshore oil development. ExxonMobil previously reported about 230 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone at the discovery.
The company had already drilled the Barreleye-2 appraisal well, which included a drill stem test. Barreleye-3 was the next step in evaluating the area and determining the best development approach.
By February, ExxonMobil had advanced exploration drilling at Goatfish-1 in the southeastern section of the Stabroek Block, near the Suriname border.
The well was drilled by the Noble Sam Croft. MARAD said operations were underway on February 19 and were initially scheduled to conclude on March 31.
The drilling program at Goatfish-1 was later extended. A subsequent notice said the Stena Carron drillship would continue exploration operations at the well, with activities scheduled to conclude on May 31.
The Goatfish-1 well site is located about 109 nautical miles, or 202 kilometers, offshore Guyana. It covers an area of about 0.29 square nautical miles, or one square kilometer.
The area is significant because ExxonMobil has confirmed that previous discoveries in that part of the Stabroek Block have yielded more natural gas than oil. Guyana’s government has also encouraged the company to prioritize development of the country’s gas resources.
In May, ExxonMobil Guyana moved to Goby-1, a new target in the Stabroek Block.
Starting May 10, the company continued exploration drilling at the Goby-1 prospect. MARAD said the Stena Carron drillship would carry out the operation, with drilling scheduled to conclude by July 31.
ExxonMobil confirmed that Goby-1 targets oil.
No new Stabroek Block discovery has been publicly announced by Exxon for the year to date.
ExxonMobil and its co-venturers are working to unlock more resources beyond the 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent already discovered.
ExxonMobil operates the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest. Hess, owned by Chevron, holds 30%, while CNOOC holds 25%.
