Marine traffic is set to increase in the coming weeks at the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana as exploration and development activities ramp-up and installation operations for the Liza Phase 1 Development project gets underway.
ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator in the 6.6 million acres Stabroek Block in partnership with Hess and CNOOC.
Appraisal drilling at the Longtail-1 well site got underway on March 15 and a well testing operation is set to take place during the period March 28 to April 12. These activities will see the use of 12 vessels in addition to the Stena Carron. The drill site is located approximately 106 nautical miles from shore and covers an area of 1 square kilometer.
The Noble Tom Madden drillship has been moving into position in preparation for exploration drilling at the Yellowtail prospect for which ExxonMobil Guyana has since received environmental approval. The Yellowtail-1 well is located approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of Tilapia-1 in the Turbot area.
ExxonMobil Guyana and its joint venture partners will also continue with their 3D/4D seismic survey within the southeastern portion of the Block. The survey, which covers an area of around 1,260 square kilometers, is expected to continue until June 30. The operation will incorporate the use of the Ramform Tethys, Thor Magni and Delta Monarch.
Meanwhile, installation activities are underway for the Liza Phase 1 Development project. This operation will include the use of the PL Saipem FDS 2, MV Skandi Buchan, MV Skandi Foula and the MV HG Enterprise.
The ultra deepwater construction DP 3 vessel, Saipem Constellation, will also arrive in Guyana later this year to connect the Liza Destiny FPSO to subsea equipment for oil production, set to begin by 2020.
