The Government of Guyana is currently conducting a thorough safety and technical assessment regarding a request from ExxonMobil Guyana to ramp up crude oil production on the “One Guyana” Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
The “One Guyana” FPSO, which commenced operations in the Yellowtail Field of the Stabroek Block in August 2025, is currently designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). ExxonMobil has formally requested permission to exceed this baseline capacity.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, confirmed that the Petroleum Unit of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is leading the review. He emphasized that the government is prioritizing safety over speed, noting that the assessment process will be rigorous and deliberate.
“Once we do the in-house assessment, our officers will then go offshore for a physical visit to ensure that there are no strains or pressure on the modules or the equipment on that FPSO,” Minister Bharrat stated.
The Minister acknowledged that while the government has successfully approved production increases for earlier FPSOs—specifically the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity—each vessel requires a unique safety verification. “We don’t want to rush through such a decision but to take our time and ensure that we are comfortable, the EPA is comfortable, and the Ministry of Natural Resources is comfortable before we issue an approval,” he added.
The “One Guyana” vessel currently operates in tandem with the other three FPSOs, contributing to a collective output of approximately 900,000 barrels per day. Should the government grant the requested increase, national daily production levels are expected to surpass the 1 million bpd milestone.
Minister Bharrat declined to provide a specific timeline for the decision, reiterating that the technical team will not proceed until they are satisfied that the infrastructure can handle the heightened production without compromising operational integrity or environmental safeguards.
