…project exempted from Environmental Impact Assessment
Oil giant ExxonMobil had a prolific drilling campaign in 2021, but based on the project summary it has submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the oil company is planning to start a 12-well exploration and appraisal campaign next year in the Canje Block.
According to the project summary submitted by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), drilling once approved will begin early next year and continue until 2025.
“The same or similar support vessels that are being used to support current exploration and development drilling activities in the Stabroek Block will be used to support the drilling of the additional 12 exploration wells in the Canje Block,” the project summary stated.
“The Project is planned to begin by 1Q2022. If a discovery is made, a well test may be performed. Conclusion of the proposed drilling project is expected by 1Q2025. Operations and activities in the Canje block will continue to be performed under the terms of the Petroleum Agreements, Licenses and relevant permits,” it added.
Exxon, the summary noted, currently has six drill ships operating offshore; the Stena Carron and DrillMAX, the Noble Bob Douglas, Tom Madden, Don Taylor and the Noble Sam Croft. The summary noted that the wells could be drilled by any of these drill ships which are fully equipped for such drilling operations.
“Once exploration drilling activity is completed, each well will be plugged and abandoned. Cement will be used to secure the well casing and isolate the wellbore from the formation. A cement plug will also be set near the surface to cap the well.”
“Notice of the intent to abandon each well and the specific techniques to be used will be provided to the EPA and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) initially in the presentation of the ITD, receipt of prior consent in the form of no-objection and then in greater detail in the Well Specific Drilling Program (WSDP) for each exploration well,” the summary stated.
No objection
Meanwhile, the EPA has since announced its determination that the project would not significantly impact the environment and as such, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not necessary.
“In accordance with Section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05, Laws of Guyana, the application for the project listed above has been screened by the Agency. The Agency determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment and is therefore, exempt from the requirement of an EIA, in accordance with Section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05.”
“This decision is in no way an indication of approval of the project. Notwithstanding this decision, in the interest of sound environmental management, the Agency will require the preparation and submission of an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) for the project.”
According to the EPA, the EAMP will assess specific issues and impacts identified during screening. Additionally, EPA said that specific mitigation measures to ensure that the proposed project can be implemented in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner will be addressed.
Based on information put out by Westmount Energy, an indirect partner in the block, the Canje Block could hold as much as 10 billion barrels of oil in total. ExxonMobil, the operator, had previously drilled the Jabillo-1 well in the Canje Block offshore Guyana almost simultaneously with its other wells.
But in July it was announced that no evidence was found of oil in commercial quantities. It was announced that the Jabillo-1 well, which was drilled to a depth of 6475 metres, was found not to have commercially viable oil. As a consequence, it was announced that the well would be plugged and abandoned.
It had been reported in March that Exxon was engaged in drilling the Jabillo-1, using the Stena Carron drill ship, between March 10 and March 27. The Stena Carron, after drilling the Jabillo-1 well and maintenance activities, was scheduled to resume drilling on the Koebi-1 well.
The Jabillo-1 well happens to be the second of three exploration wells Exxon had scheduled for drilling in the Canje Block in 2021. The other two are the Bulletwood-1 well and the Sapote-1 well. Like Jabillo, Bulletwood-1 had also come up dry. (G3)
