ExxonMobil to shut down Liza field FPSOs to connect gas-to-energy project pipeline

ExxonMobil Corp. plans a short-term shutdown of two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in Liza field offshore Guyana to connect a natural gas pipeline associated with the gas-to-energy project in the country, local media reported.

FPSOs Liza Destiny and Liza Unity will undergo shutdowns independently sometime in July and August for about 2 weeks each to connect the natural gas pipeline that is expected to deliver gas to Guyana's $1.9 billion project that includes a power plant and a natural gas processing plant west of the Demerara River, along the coast of Guyana.

Liza field, in Stabroek block about 190 km offshore in the Guyana basin, is the first offshore development project to produce oil in Guyana (OGJ, Feb. 7, 2022, p.21).

ExxonMobil has committed to transporting 50 MMscfd of gas—enough to power a 300 Mw power plant—to reduce energy costs and help meet increasing electricity demand in Guyana (OGJ Online, Aug. 1, 2022).

The offshore portion of the pipeline is about 70% complete, the company's country head Alistair Routledge told media at the company’s Georgetown headquarters earlier this week. Construction onshore is about 68% complete, and the pipeline is expected to start up by yearend, Routledge said, a commitment made by the company to the government of Guyana. Meanwhile, previous reports from Guyana officials note the power plant and transmission lines will not be fully operational before end-2025.

Production from the block is expected to temporarily decrease by over 160,000 b/d while the FPSOs undergo pipeline connection works. Currently, ExxonMobil produces about 613,000 b/d from three FPSOs in operation on the block, according to local reports.