ExxonMobil’s contracted fleet of drillships in Guyana now stands at five with the recent departure of the Stena DrillMAX which has completed its assignment. The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said the vessel left Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone in January.
The Stena Drillmax made several high-profile discoveries in the Stabroek Block, including the sole 2024 discovery at Bluefin-1, estimated by Rystad Energy to hold 500 million barrels of recoverable resources. The vessel arrived in Guyana in the first quarter of 2021. Its contract ended December 31, 2024.
Stena Carron is now the only Stena Drilling rig operating in Guyana after Exxon exercised an option in June 2024 to extend its contract by six months, until June 30, 2025.
Four Noble drillships are contracted for work in Guyana, under a Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA) with ExxonMobil. The Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, and Noble Bob Douglas are due to complete work in Guyana in August 2028. Guyana continues to be a major contributor to Noble’s earnings and backlog.
ExxonMobil continues to engage in exploration, appraisal, and development drilling in 2025. It will bring the ONE GUYANA project to production this year, ahead of the Uaru and Whiptail projects in 2026-2027. A notable appraisal target this year is Ranger, Exxon’s westernmost Stabroek Block discovery.
ExxonMobil, the Stabroek Block operator, has a 45% stake, alongside Hess (30%) and CNOOC (25%). Exxon has discovered 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels.
