Page 8 - LatAmOil Week 05 2022
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LatAmOil COLOMBIA LatAmOil
Oil output averaged 736,000 bpd in 2021, down country is not likely to see oil yields move back
by 5.6% y/y. up to this level in the near future, even though
In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, its economy is showing some signs of recovery,
Colombia extracted 886,000 bpd of crude. The according to ACP forecasts.
GUYANA
ExxonMobil Guyana says Liza Destiny’s
flash gas compressor is being upgraded
EXXONMOBIL Guyana, an affiliate of the US and is considering a new centrifugal compressor
super-major ExxonMobil, has announced that package.
upgrades on a new flash gas compressor (FGC) ExxonMobil Guyana is working to refine its
for the Liza Destiny floating production, storage gas handling practices after coming under scru-
and off-loading (FPSO) vessel installed at the tiny from the Environmental Protection Agency
Liza-1 oilfield are underway. Installation opera- (EPA) in Guyana. To date, the company has paid
tions are anticipated to commence in mid-2022, GYD930mn ($4.46mn) in fines to the agency as
and in the meantime, the third-stage FGC unit a result of associated gas flaring in the course
that is currently aboard the FPSO remains in full of extracting crude oil from Liza-1. According
operation, the company said. to the EPA, this fine was levied in line with the
The new FGC was originally due to have Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), a provision of
been delivered to Guyana in December 2021 but the country’s Environmental Protection Act of
is still in Germany, where it was manufactured. 1996.
ExxonMobil Guyana’s media and communi- ExxonMobil Guyana outlined its plans to
cations manager Janelle Persaud explained: reduce the negative environmental impact of
“We have adjusted the timeline for its delivery gas flaring in the amendments it made to its
and installation in order to provide the highest environmental permit for the Liza-1 project in
assurance of reliable performance.” May 2021.
ExxonMobil made the decision to keep the The amendments include changes to emis-
FGC in Germany after it was determined that sions reporting requirements, while also stipu-
more comprehensive tests on the equipment lating times when flaring can take place. They
were necessary to ensure that the FGC would be also obligate ExxonMobil Guyana to pay for
ready prior to installation. excessive flaring incidents that cause carbon
While the company awaits the FGC’s arrival, dioxide emissions.
several alternative long-term solutions are being Liza-1 is the only oil-producing section of the
pursued in an attempt to eliminate the need for Stabroek block, which is located offshore in the
second- and third-stage FGCs on the FPSO. Guyana-Suriname basin. It is known to contain
ExxonMobil Guyana is also looking to overhaul at least 10bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in
the existing screw design of current compressors recoverable reserves.
The Liza Destiny is currently equipped with a third-stage FGC (Image: ExxonMobil)
P8 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 05 03•February•2022
