Exxon plans to reduce oily discharge in Guyanese waters - 9th project summary

Exxon plans to reduce oily discharge in Guyanese waters – 9th project summary

May 28, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block intends to limit oil content in its discharges offshore through produced water.

This is outlined in the company’s Project Summary for the ninth proposed development- Haimara.

Produced water, according to the American Geosciences Institute, is a naturally occurring water that comes out of the ground along with oil and gas. Produced water can also contain varying amounts of oil residues, sand or mud, naturally occurring radioactive materials, chemicals from frac fluids, bacteria, and dissolved organic compounds.

These elements can be harmful to marine life, therefore requiring oil companies to treat the waste to international standards that ensure marine species are protected.

Exxon plans to reduce oily discharge in Guyanese waters - 9th project summary

Produced water prior to treatment.

In Guyana, the impact of Exxon’s oil and gas operations on the environment has caused considerable concern, especially for marine life. Guyanese have often raised alarm over the impact to fish and other offshore life, while the operator continues to describe the impact as “negligible”.

According to its Project Summary, Exxon plans to treat produced water on board the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) “to an acceptable specification prior to discharging”.

It said it would “limit oil content of discharged produced water to the daily maximum of less than or equal to 42 mg/L and the monthly average of less than or equal to 29 mg/L.”

Exxon added, “If oil content of produced water is observed to exceed these limits, route it to an appropriate storage tank on the FPSO until the treatment system is restored and the discharge meets the noted specification.”

Additionally, the company has informed Guyanese regulators of plans to “limit dispersed oil content” of discharged slop water to both the daily maximum of less than or equal to 42 mg/L and the monthly average of less than or equal to 29 mg/L.

Slop water, according to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is a byproduct of cleaning operations on offshore oil and gas rigs, contaminated with hydrocarbons, chemicals, and various wastes. It may contain corrosive salts, drilling muds, formation water and solid impurities, posing significant environmental and operational challenges.

Exxon’s ninth project aims to develop the Haimara, Bluefin and Hatchetfish natural gas fields, and other discoveries within proximity if deemed feasible and economically viable.

Exxon explained, “As a natural gas development, the primary produced fluid is retrograde gas, from which condensate will be separated on the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), prior to the remaining gas stream being reinjected into the reservoir for pressure maintenance and increased recovery of condensate.”

The company added that gas may be exported from Haimara as the market becomes available. The anticipated production capacity for the FPSO is expected to be between 1,000 to 1,500 million Standard Cubic Feet (MMscfd) per day of produced natural gas and 160 to 220 thousand barrels of condensate per day (kbd) (separated from produced natural gas). Condensate is a very light oil. The FPSO will be capable of storing approximately two million barrels of condensate.

The ninth project will be located in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 222 km from Georgetown.

Exxon plans to develop the project using drill ships to produce retrograde gas from approximately 24 – 60 production and gas injection wells. Hamaira is expected to commence production in 2031 with an expected field life of at least 30 years, according to the project summary.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Exxon, Haimara, ninth project, oil, produced water

Latest News