Oil and gas production from Guyana and the United States’ Permian Basin becomes increasingly important during disruptions to Middle East energy supplies, ExxonMobil Vice President of Exploration John Ardill told Reuters on May 5.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Ardill said the global market has not yet fully felt the impact of supply disruptions linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Exxon prepares for such scenarios through supply diversification and long-term planning.
“We evaluate all these eventualities and plan,” Ardill told Reuters.
Ardill said Exxon’s portfolio strategy places growing importance on reliable production hubs outside the Middle East, including Guyana, where the company has made more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in discoveries since 2015.
“Projects in the Permian Basin and Guyana are extremely important when Middle East oil and gas are restricted,” Ardill said.
The comments come as Exxon and other major producers assess the implications of geopolitical tensions on global energy flows and investment priorities.
Hormuz disruption puts focus on Guyana’s oil as stable supply source – Wood Mackenzie | OilNOW
Guyana has emerged as one of Exxon’s fastest-growing production centers, supported by multiple deepwater developments in the Stabroek Block and continued exploration activity offshore.
The block’s monthly output was 914,000 barrels per day (b/d) in the first quarter of 2026. When the fifth project, Uaru, comes on stream later this year, production is expected to surpass one million b/d.
All production offshore Guyana is operated by ExxonMobil, which holds a 45% interest in the Stabroek Block, alongside Hess (30%) and CNOOC (25%).
