ExxonMobil Corp. has increased its estimated recoverable resource for the Stabroek block to more than 5 billion boe from 4 billion boe following further evaluation of previous discoveries and drilling of the Pluma-1 well offshore Guyana.
The well, drilled to 16,447 ft in 3,340 ft of water by Noble’s Tom Madden drillship beginning on Nov. 1, encountered 121 ft of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone reservoir. The oil discovery marks the tenth offshore Guyana. It follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek block at Hammerhead, Pacora, Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger, and Longtail (OGJ Online, Aug. 30, 2018; May 20, 2015; Jan. 12, 2017;Mar. 30, 2017;Oct. 5, 2017;Jan. 5, 2018; Feb. 28, 2018; and June 20, 2018).
Pluma-1 is 17 miles south of the Turbot-1 well. Tom Madden will next drill the Tilapia-1 prospect 3.4 miles west of the Longtail-1 well.
The latest discovery reinforces potential for at least five floating storage, production, and offloading vessels producing more than 750,000 b/d of oil by 2025, the company said.
“Our ongoing work will evaluate development options in the southeastern portion of the block, potentially combining Pluma with prior Turbot and Longtail discoveries into a major new development area,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Co.
Liza Phase 1, which is expected to begin producing oil by early 2020, will use the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel to produce up to 120,000 b/d of oil (OGJ Online, June 12, 2018). Construction of the FPSO and subsea equipment is well advanced.
Pending government and regulatory approvals, Phase 2 is targeted for sanctioning in early 2019. It will use a second FPSO designed to produce up to 220,000 b/d of oil and is expected to be producing in mid-2022. A third development, Payara, will target sanctioning in 2019 and use an FPSO designed to produce 180,000 b/d of oil as early as 2023.
ExxonMobil affiliate Esso E&P Guyana is operator and holds a 45% interest in the Stabroek block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd. holds 25% interest.