Shutdowns for pipeline hook-up cut Guyana crude output to 427,000 b/d in July

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Kemol King
Kemol King is an independent journalist with six years of experience in Guyana's media landscape, contributing to OilNOW on a freelance basis. He covers the oil & gas sector and its impact on the country's development.

Crude oil production at the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block decreased significantly in July due to temporary shutdowns at the Liza field. Government data shows output at 427,000 barrels per day (b/d) in July, down 34% from 644,000 b/d in June.

Monthly volumes ranged 18-20 million barrels in the January-June period, but production in July was just over 13 million barrels. The January-June average output of 623,000 b/d has reduced to 595,000 b/d with the inclusion of July data. 

Crude oil production offshore Guyana in 2024 has exceeded 126 million barrels, based on data on the first seven months. This is a 64% increase from the same period last year.

ExxonMobil had said the Liza 1 and 2 projects would be shut down for two weeks each, to facilitate pipeline hook-up for the Gas-to-Energy project. First gas is expected in 2025. Its primary use will be domestic power generation.

The data shows zero output from Liza 2 in the period July 2-15, then a gradual trek back to production over 200,000 b/d by July 24. Liza 2 averaged 83,000 b/d in July. 

Liza 1’s shutdown took effect from July 19 for the rest of the month. Liza 1 averaged 92,000 b/d in July. 

While the Liza field production was reduced in July, Payara soared at an average 251,000 b/d. The project achieved first oil in November and reached initial target production of 220,000 b/d in January. After recent debottlenecking by ExxonMobil, July was Payara’s first full month producing at its optimized level.

Table shows impact of production optimization at ExxonMobil’s Guyana projects

Payara is the third project to be safely optimized after successful debottlenecking at Liza 1 and 2. The Liza field projects can sustain production of over 70,000 b/d on top of initial target numbers. Liza 1 had its highest monthly output in February at 160,000 b/d, while Liza 2’s highest monthly output was in the same period at 252,000 b/d. Exxon had said additional optimization work would be undertaken at Liza 2 during its shutdown period. Those gains are expected to be realized in the coming months. 

ExxonMobil, the operator, has a 45% stake in the Stabroek Block, alongside Hess (30%) and CNOOC (25%). 

About Guyana’s Oil Ledger 

Guyana’s Oil Ledger offers analyses of the latest oil production data and government oil fund receipts, published typically on a fortnightly basis. The column is authored by Kemol King, a journalist specializing in Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

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