ExxonMobil Guyana Limited has officially submitted its Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its ambitious 12-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign within the Canje Block.
Exxon which is the designated operator, along with its co-venturers JHI Associates, Inc.; Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas, Inc.; and Total E&P Guyana B.V., has embarked on a mission to further explore and appraise the hydrocarbon reserves within the Canje Block.
Under Guyanese law, Exxon is obligated to seek environmental authorization from the EPA for the execution of this project. The oil giant initiated this process by filing an Application for Environmental Authorization with the EPA on December 10, 2021.
Upon initial evaluation of the application, the EPA, in accordance with Section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, determined that the project in isolation, would not significantly impact the environment. However, a noteworthy concern arises when considering the cumulative environmental effects of the project combined with similar initiatives in the same location. Consequently, as stipulated in Section 17(3) of the Act, an Environmental Impact Assessment, specifically a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), was mandated to assess the collective impact of the Project and other related projects or activities.
The primary objective of the CIA is to provide the EPA with comprehensive factual and technical information essential for an informed decision regarding the company’s application for environmental authorization, and the decision hinges on the potential cumulative effects associated with the project. Once the CIA undergoes thorough review, the EPA will determine whether to grant Exxon an environmental authorization for the project, along with any associated conditions.
The scope of the project encompasses 12 exploration and appraisal wells. While the precise locations of these wells have yet to be finalized, some will serve exploratory purposes, while others may function as appraisal wells. The project’s priorities and schedules remain adaptable, contingent on the outcomes of the exploration wells. Exxon intends to provide the necessary well information for EPA approval before the respective spud dates.
Moreover, Exxon has noted is committed to adhering to international industry best practices and has integrated multiple controls into the project’s design to mitigate environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
As of now, the project is slated to run from the second quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in offshore drilling activities in the Canje Block.
