Yellowtail-1, ExxonMobil’s 13th discovery offshore
─ Department of Energy assures relentlessness in ensuring returns are optimised
─ the rate of these oil discoveries demonstrates the magnitude of Guyana’s natural resources – Dr. Bynoe
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 18, 2019
ExxonMobil has made its 13th discovery offshore Guyana at the Yellowtail-1 Well. This disclosure was made by Director of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, on Thursday, who assured his department will be relentless in ensuring that returns are optimised from these resources for all of Guyana.
In a release, Dr. Bynoe noted that “Guyana continues to receive positive news with the announcement of these oil finds offshore, the real substance of these finds will accrue only when citizens are able to benefit directly or indirectly from these discoveries.”
Yellowtail-1 is the third discovery for 2019 and represents the 5th discovery in the Turbot area, where ExxonMobil is evaluating its potential as an additional development hub.
The well encountered approximately 292 feet (89 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled to a depth of 18,445 feet (5,622 metres) in 6,046 feet (1,843 metres) of water. It is located approximately 6 miles (10 kilometres) northwest of the Tilapia discovery.
Dr. Bynoe stated that the rate of these oil discoveries demonstrates the magnitude of Guyana’s natural resources and further reiterated the department’s intentions to manage the resource efficiently.
“For years, Guyanese have heard of the country’s oil potential and we are now seeing it manifesting… the Department of Energy intends to employ international best practice in managing this resource and the monies that will be derived therefrom to give Guyanese ‘the good life’ that is in consonance with the construct of the Green State Development Strategy.”
The Noble Tom Madden began drilling the Yellowtail Well on March 27, 2019. Thereafter, it will drill the Hammerhead-2 Well.
In February, ExxonMobil announced its 11th and 12th discoveries offshore Guyana at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 wells in the southwest section of the Stabroek Block.
The release highlighted that the petroleum company intends to drill more than 10 exploration and appraisal wells offshore Guyana in 2019 and 2020. The company has noted the potential for at least five floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels on the Stabroek Block producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.
Start-up of the Liza Phase 1 development is expected to begin early in the first quarter of 2020 and will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO.
Anara Khan.
Image: Department of Public Information.