(Energy Analytics Institute, 26.May.2021) — The Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block is expected to shutdown briefly in November 2021 to install a new design flash gas compressor. Plans are to debottleneck or optimize the unit so that the new nameplate capacity for the unit will be between 140,000-150,000 barrels per day.
The Liza Destiny FPSO assigned to the Liza Phase 1 development is currently producing around 120,000 b/d or at nameplate capacity even without the flash gas compressor, Hess Corporation COO & President of Exploration & Production Gregory P. Hill said on 26 May 2021 during the UBS Global Oil and Gas Virtual Conference.
The flash gas compressor has been repaired and is expected back on the unit in early July 2021, when production could ramp up between 120,000 b/d and 130,000 b/d, the executive said before ramping to the aforementioned new nameplate capacity.
“You need six months to a year of operating data so then you can go in, put in some piping changes, et cetera, eliminate those bottlenecks and then go to a higher nameplate capacity,” said Hill said during the virtual event. “I mean typically, you can probably count on 10% to 15%, just round numbers. We’ll wait and see until we get the dynamic data. But, I think within that range, so the 220,000 maybe becomes 240,000,” he said, referring to Liza Unity FPSO that will assigned to the Liza Phase 2 development.
First Three Guyana Developments
Exxon — operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, with partners Hess (30% WI) and CNOOC (25% WI) — has found approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent gross discovered recoverable resources. The block covers 6.6 million acres (equal to 1,150 Gulf of Mexico blocks).
The first three developments sanctioned offshore in the Stabroek include Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2 and Payara, as summarized.
Development | Capacity (b/d) | FPSO | Online Date |
Liza 1 | 120,000 | Destiny | Dec. 2019 |
Liza 2 | 220,000 | Unity | Early-2022 |
Payara | 220,000 | Prosperity | 2024 |
Totals | 560,000 | ||
Source: Hess |
“What’s interesting about Guyana, once Liza Phase 2 comes on in the beginning of next year, [is that] Guyana becomes a cash engine,” said Hess Corporation CEO and Director John B. Hess said during the event.
Hess eyes potential for at least 6 FPSOs on the Stabroek Block by 2027.
RELATED STORY: Hess Talks Guyana At UBS Event [PDF Download]
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By Aaron Simonsky. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.