More exciting times to come – ExxonMobil Guyana President

…urges investors to seek out opportunities

Having already experienced unprecedented successes and unmatched progress, especially in the local oil and gas sector, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) Alistair Routledge has said more excitement is yet to come as Guyana continues on its development trajectory.

He made these remarks at a US-Guyana Business Exchange Reception held recently in Houston, Texas. “Despite the excitement that we’ve seen, I think is even more exciting to come,” Routledge declared.
Currently, the United States oil major has operationalised four offshore developments in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, where more than 900,000 barrels of oil are being produced per day and exploration activities are still ongoing.
In fact, ExxonMobil is gearing up for its fifth development offshore Guyana, the Uaru Project, which is slated to commence by the end of this year, utilising the Errea Wittu Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).
According to Routledge, this latest project will push oil production to over one million bpd.
“The next production facility is expected to start up before the end of this year, taking Guyana over the one million barrel per day landmark milestone. That is remarkable. That will be within seven years of first oil to exceed one million barrels a day and just 11 and a half years from the first discovery. But we’re not finished there,” the EMGL head emphasised.
He pointed out that ExxonMobil already has approval for at least two other offshore projects – Whiptail, which is slated for start-up in 2027, and Hammerhead in 2029.
Additionally, the oil company is now working with the relevant Guyanese authorities to get the greenlight for its eighth major offshore development, the Longtail Project. This, coupled with the oil giant’s sixth and seventh developments, would further drive up production in the prolific Stabroek Block.
“We anticipate with the start up of that [Longtail] project by 2030 – the end of this decade – the country will have a production capacity of 1.7 million barrels per day. It is outstanding pace and progress,” he highlighted.
Routledge credited this progress to the partnership that the oil major, along with its co-venturers, has with the government, businesses and people of Guyana. He said that partnership has been fundamental to the success the company has seen in Guyana over the years.
“Yes, we are making huge investments [with] over US$65 billion committed to the country. But what we have been able to do in the partnerships and with the people of Guyana gives us that confidence to continue on that journey, continue to lean into some more challenging resource and make it happen,” he noted.

Building local capacity
The ExxonMobil Guyana boss further recalled the apprehensions they had when the Government passed the Local Content Act in 2021 but noted that today, the company is one of the major contributors and supporters of local content. In fact, he noted that of 9000 workers involved in the oil and gas industry, approximately 70 per cent of them are Guyanese.
Moreover, he cited the investments the company made in setting up the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) at Port Mourant, Corentyne. This US$120 million world-class institution provides advanced technical training with a focus on oil and gas, engineering, and manufacturing.
According to Routledge, it is important to train Guyanese to the highest standards and with the latest technology, especially since the goal is to build local capacity to eventually run the sector.
“We’re also, through whether it’s ExxonMobil’s programmes or many of the contractors that work in the country, investing in the people that are part of our workforce. And that is absolutely fundamental, because these are the people that will drive our industry, will drive the oil and gas industry for the future in Guyana.”
“It has been essential to bring in overseas talent to get it started up. But our job is also to turn it over to the Guyanese workforce and ensure in the long term that almost all the jobs are performed by Guyanese. And I think we’re on an excellent track for that to happen,” he asserted.

Entrepreneurial spirit in Guyana “remarkable”
Similarly, the ExxonMobil Guyana President went on to outline the successful partnership the company has fostered with the Guyanese business community, describing the entrepreneurial spirit in Guyana as “remarkable”.
The US-Guyana Business Exchange Reception was held on the side-lines of the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, where President Dr Irfaan Ali led a 100-member delegation – a majority of whom were private sector stakeholders in Guyana.
Routledge used the opportunity to encourage potential foreign investors to seek out the members of the Guyanese business delegation and explore opportunities in Guyana.
“We’re excited. In fact, more than excited…about what has happened in Guyana so far… The pace of growth in the country is quite remarkable. It’s the fastest-growing economy in the world, but…it’s also not just about the oil and gas. Oil and gas is being used in that partnership to fuel other parts of the economy.”
“So, please come, see the opportunities, and engage with the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, [and] the other chambers. There are lots of eager business people delighted to spend time with you, share their interests, their exciting opportunities, and we will all together build the future that is bright for Guyana,” Routledge stated.