Two of the three gas handling systems are back online at the Liza Destiny FPSO resulting in a reduction in flaring and a gradual ramp up in oil production.
In a comment to OilNOW on Tuesday, ExxonMobil Guyana Public and Government Affairs Advisor Janelle Persaud, said the company is working to safely complete final commissioning of the gas handling system after which production will ramp-up to full capacity.
The Liza Destiny has the capacity to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.
In May, the Liza Destiny encountered some issues with its gas reinjection system during a performance test. This resulted in longer than usual flaring since repairs were initially delayed in order to observe travel restrictions and safety and isolation protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the company has been working to rectify the issue and had cut oil production to reduce the volume of gas being flared.
“We have two of the three gas handling systems online and are currently injecting or using 85% of the produced gas from the reservoir. With gas reinjection online, we are able to ramp up production and reduce flaring. Once the system is fully commissioned, we will be able to produce at full capacity,” Persaud said.
EPA head Dr. Vincent Adams had told OilNOW ExxonMobil was taking the necessary precautions by flaring after it countered challenges with the gas compressor. “It was a good thing they decided to err on the side of caution,” he said.
Persaud pointed out that both the safety of the crew onboard the Liza Destiny and efforts to minimize flaring remain key priorities for the company.
She said ExxonMobil will continue to work with the government of Guyana, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, to operate safely and in accordance with its environmental impact assessment and permit.
The company has said its operations in Guyana will not utilize routine flaring.
