ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge said the company has identified two drilling targets west of the Liza and Payara discoveries.
“We plan to drill two exploration wells west of Liza and Payara. The Trumpetfish and Redmouth exploration wells are planned more in the middle of the Stabroek Block during the course of this year,” the official said during a Feb. 6 press conference in Georgetown.
Routledge explained that Trumpetfish and Redmouth are the two anchor-hunting wells for 2024 – meaning they are targeting new reserve bases for potential standalone developments. Otherwise, Exxon has five exploration and appraisal wells planned for the Stabroek Block this year, under its greenlit 35-well campaign.
Routledge said an earlier comment by Chevron’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Wirth, that 10-12 wells are planned for 2024 may very well turn out to be so, but that this is contingent on the results of the seven which form the starting basis.
“Our well drilling program is always somewhat dynamic depending upon the results that we see. If one of those new anchor-hunting prospects come in, then we may well want to accelerate some exploration or appraisal activity in that area. So, as a starting basis, we have seven exploration and appraisal wells. These are not insignificant wells,” Routledge stated.
ExxonMobil has thus far discovered more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels offshore Guyana. It holds a 45% stake in the Stabroek Block with Hess holding 30% and CNOOC 25%.
