Exxon to seek approval for second gas project

Feb 19, 2026 News

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…Routledge outlines company’s plan to develop gas resources

(Kaieteur News) – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will soon move to seek environmental authorisation for its second gas project, according to EMGL President, Alistair Routledge.

He made the disclosure while addressing attendees at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Wednesday.

“We anticipate that in the coming weeks, the next couple of months, we will likely submit a request for an environmental authorisation for the second gas project in the southeast part of the Stabroek Block,” he said.

Routledge outlined Exxon’s broader gas development plan, including the gas-rich Longtail project, which would be the eighth development in the Stabroek Block and is also located in the southeast portion of the offshore concession.

He said the company has been advancing technical work to better understand the gas reservoirs and how they are expected to perform. This includes evaluating well placement, both producing and injection wells, and progressing development concepts for a second gas project in the same area.

Exxon believes that a second Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, “almost identical” to the concept proposed for the longtail development (the eight development in the Stabroek Block), could unlock additional gas resources in the southeast.

He added that the company is seeking to move quickly to capture market efficiencies for a second FPSO, as well as for Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) and drilling services, building on what he described as strong contractor performance. “And indeed, we’re testing the market for SURF and for the FPSO currently as we look towards the possibility of bringing a second gas development forward to the government next year,” he said.

To this end, he urged industry players to “sharpen your pencils,” noting that the projects will require competitive and efficient bids.

Exxon president further stressed that growing confidence in the resource base is critical, particularly as gas developments are more complex and require an integrated value chain. He referenced Trinidad and Tobago’s long-established gas sector, which includes multiple monetisation options such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports and onshore chemical plants.

“Guyana does not, today have an onshore gas market, but as you heard from President (Irfaan) Ali yesterday, that is the vision. In addition to gas energy and the Wales development, our commitment and our energy is going behind developing a Berbice gas-fueled industrial development,” Routledge said.

He outlined three key requirements for advancing the project: confidence in upstream resources, onshore infrastructure, and collaboration.

“We have growing confidence and we can see a path forward to developing the upstream resource, including what it takes to deliver that resource from offshore to onshore by pipeline,” he added. Routledge said Exxon has already begun conceptual work on the pipeline, including its size, route and delivery point onshore.

On infrastructure, he noted that an onshore Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) extraction facility would be required, similar in concept to the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, where gas is transported from the offshore Stabroek Block to the Wales Industrial Zone.

“This is a rich gas that will deliver a good quantity of natural gas liquids. So we anticipate building an onshore natural gas liquids extraction plant at the end of the pipeline onshore. I believe that should be a single plant for efficiency and then what it will enable us to do is to deliver methane to whoever are the offtakers for power generation, for industrial uses, for alumina, for data centers, whatever those uses may be,” Routledge noted.

He said Exxon will work in partnership with the government on plans that include a deep-water port, an industrial zone and other infrastructure for Berbice, highlighting the importance of existing and new partnerships.

Routledge also addressed President Ali’s 2030 timeline for the second gas project. “I think many in the industry are shaking their heads but that sort of visionary leadership is often what is needed to make things happen and as I said last year if there is anyway that we can make this happen I do believe the Guyana is where it can happen,” he stated.

He pointed to Exxon and its Stabroek Block co-venturers, Hess and CNOOC, and their relationship with the government, outlining that seven major projects have already received approval. According to Routledge, that shared experience and regulatory familiarity will be critical as the company advances the more complex gas developments.

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• Alistair Routledge, environmental authorisation, Exxon, FPSO, gas project, Liquefied natural gas

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