SBM Offshore announced today that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has confirmed the award of contracts for the Whiptail development project located in the Stabroek Block in Guyana. Under these contracts, SBM Offshore will construct and install a floating, production, storage and offloading facility called Jaguar.
Ownership will transfer to EMGL prior to the FPSO’s installation in Guyana, and SBM Offshore expects to operate the FPSO for 10 years under the Operations and Maintenance Enabling Agreement signed in 2023. The award follows completion of front-end engineering and design studies, receipt of requisite government approvals and the final investment decision on the project by ExxonMobil and block co-venturers.
The Whiptail development is the sixth development within the Stabroek block, circa 200 kilometers offshore Guyana. EMGL is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek block, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, holds a 25 percent interest.
The FPSO Jaguar’s design is based on SBM Offshore’s industry leading Fast4Ward® program that incorporates the Company’s 7th new build, multi-purpose floater hull combined with several standardized topsides modules. The FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. The FPSO will be spread moored in water depth of about 1,630 meters and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil.
SBM Offshore said in a statement that it remains committed to working with Guyanese companies and will continue to expand these activities. “More Guyanese engineers will be recruited and employed as part of the FPSO Jaguar project team,” the Dutch shipbuilder said.
