Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, is in the process of finalising preparations to commence drilling the Liza 5 well in the coming days.
ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington said on Sunday that drilling will happen soon, as the operations at Pacora have been completed.
“Liza 5 is the fifth well to be drilled in the Liza field. We will use the data gathered from this well to help further plan and optimize the Liza Phase 2 development project,” she said.
Brassington reminded that the Liza Phase 1 development project would produce about half the oil in the Liza field. The proposed Liza Phase 2 development project would produce the other half.
“Ultimately, there will be two FPSOs floating offshore, producing oil from the Liza Field. There will likely be a third FPSO floating offshore which will produce the oil found in both Payara and Pacora.”
EEPGL said drilling operation is scheduled for a three-month period at the Liza-5 Well site within the Stabroek block. The drill site is approximately 108.2 miles from the coast of Guyana.
Five vessels: Stena Carron, M/V Cat Island, M/V Hannah Chouest, HOS Commander, and M/V Fast Titan will be used in the operation.
On February 28, ExxonMobil announced its seventh oil discovery offshore Guyana, following drilling at the Pacora-1 exploration well.
ExxonMobil encountered approximately 65 feet (20 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to a depth of 18,363 feet (5,597 metres) in 6,781 feet (2,067 metres) of water. Drilling commenced on Jan. 29, 2018.
“This latest discovery further increases our confidence in developing this key area of the Stabroek Block,” said Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “Pacora will be developed in conjunction with the giant Payara field; and along with other phases, will help bring Guyana’s production to more than 500,000 barrels per day.”
The Pacora-1 well is located approximately four miles west of the Payara-1 well, and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block at Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot and Ranger.
Following completion of the Pacora-1 well, the Stena Carron drillship will move to the Liza field to drill the Liza-5 well, and complete a well test which will be used to assess concepts for the Payara development.
ExxonMobil announced project sanctioning for the Liza phase one development in June 2017. Following Liza-5, the Stena Carron will conduct additional exploration and appraisal drilling on the block.
The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator, and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.
