ExxonMobil now using codes to identify oil projects in MARAD ads

Feb 07, 2025 News

Kaieteur News-ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of Guyana’s oil-rich Stabroek Block seems to have employed a new tactic to avoid releasing the names of specific projects the company is developing.

This comes following a major blunder, where Exxon said it was moving to conduct development drilling at an oil project it never announced as a discovery. The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) later took responsibility for publishing what it said was incorrect information. Instead of developmental drilling at the Banjo well site, MARAD explained that a drillship was at the location for maintenance activities.

ExxonMobil now using codes to identify oil projects in MARAD ads

Exxon, notice, advertisement, MARAD

ExxonMobil has now employed a new technique in the publication of advertisements relating to its offshore activities. The oil giant now uses codes, instead of project names, to inform the public of its work schedule.

For instance, in a MARAD Notice, dated January 1, 2025, Exxon stated that it will continue developmental drilling operation at the “WT_4i06 Well Site” within the Stabroek Block. While Kaieteur News was able to determine that “WT” referred to the Whiptail project, Exxon on Thursday published an additional three Notices raising questions about its new modus operandi in Guyana.

According to Notice 39 (2025), “On February 4, 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at PY_2i5 Drill Center within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Meanwhile, Notice 38 states “On February 2, 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at UA_2P05 Drill center within the Stabroek Block…”

Another Notice, 36 (2025) informs the public that “On January 29, 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at UA_1i05 Well Site within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

It is unclear what these abbreviations mean. Additionally, it is a shift from Exxon’s usual communiqués. It is customary for Exxon to indicate the name of the well sites in its advertisements in a transparent manner for the public. This usually aids in keeping the public informed about the company’s operations, since the project names are well known, compared to abbreviations, as is now being used.

For instance, in the advertisement that was recalled, the company had revealed the name of the site where developmental drilling works were scheduled for. That Notice stated, “On December 13, 2024 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at Banjo-1 Well Site within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

(ExxonMobil now using codes to identify oil projects in MARAD ads)

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