GEORGETOWN, Guyana, The local subsidiary of Exxon, the American oil and gas cooperation – Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is seeking approval from Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the development of its sixth oil project in the offshore Stabroek Block: the Whiptail Project.
In a notice published in the Sunday Chronicle newspaper, the EPA announced that the company was seeking the requisite environmental authorization to execute this project.
In keeping with Guyana’s Environmental Protection Act, the EPA has determined that the project may significantly impact the environment. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required before approval or rejection is granted.
In a project summary, it was detailed that the Whiptail Project will be implemented in multiple stages and will include well drillings, the mobilization and installation of subsea equipment, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SUF), the installation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility (FPSO) and decommissioning.
The EPA’s further related project will be undertaken in the offshore marine environment and would require land-based activities for support at marine shore bases.
“As a result of the intended developmental activities, possible effects to the environment may include impacts on marine water quality, air quality, marine fauna, and socio-economic resources, among others,” the EPA notice stated also.
Because of the potential adverse impacts, public members are invited to make written submissions to the Agency on questions and matters they require to be answered in the EIA.
Such efforts must be made within 28 days of the notice and addressed to the EPA’s Executive Director.
If approved, the Whiptail project will be the oil company’s sixth massive offshore Guyana project. Other projects include Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru.
Based on current estimates, Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block has about 11 billion barrels of commercially recoverable oil resources. Natural gas is also found within the Stabroek Block and will be harnessed in coming years to fire a power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
And Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said that Guyana will see a massive ramp-up of oil production by 2027.
During an interview with China’s CGTN, which aired on Saturday, Ali said that the country expects to produce about one million barrels daily by 2027.
“What that gives us is the opportunity to build out the other sectors, make the other sectors more competitive,” he said.
Currently, two oil ships- the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity- produce about 360,000 barrels per day of oil offshore Guyana.
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