Converting into liquefied natural gas not a priority – ExxonMobil Guyana’s chief

Last Updated on Monday, 13 October 2025, 21:27 by Denis Chabrol

Guyana’s gas would most likely not be converted to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for export but would be used to fuel the country’s several other growth areas,, even as ExxonMobil prepares to eventually develop its first non-associated gas field here, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge said on Monday.

Asked whether the “several trillion cubic feet” of non-associated natural gas at Longtail in the Stabroek Block would be converted into LNG, Mr Routledge explained that some of it would be pumped into power generation, data centers, and an alumina plant, all aimed at boosting Guyana’s growth.

The ExxonMobil Guyana President was careful to point out that in the area of liquefying the natural gas, “we continue to hold that as an option” but the focus is on firing up some of those projects that the government has set its eyes on.

The company hopes to complete its environmental impact studies towards the end of 2026 and eventually present its Longtail field development plan (FDP) to the Guyana government. After a final investment decision (FID) is made and the project is developed, Mr Routledge said the priority would be to produce condensate (liquids associated with natural gas) for export globally in a manner similar to crude. “What we’ve been working with the government on is to prioritize availability of gas and supply of gas onshore into the country where it would have the highest value to the country,” he said.

He said some of the gas would be used to reinject into the wells to produce the condensate, and it would not be until another 10 to 15 years after Longtail’s condensate production begins that natural gas would be extracted. Mr Routledge further explained that natural gas reinjection would be far more better than water to maintain the pressure to maximise recovery of the liquids. “Initially, we will reinject all, or almost all of that gas. What we don’t use as fuel on the facility, into the reservoirs to ensure that we recover as much of the liquids, particularly in those fields, to condensate, as we possibly can,” he said.

ExxonMobil Guyana is forecasting a production rate of over one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from Longtail.

In contrast to Longtail where gas reinjection would be used to boost condensate recovery, Mr Routledge said water would be used for reinjection at Hammerhead which has heavier oil. ExxonMobil plans to export Hammerhead’s gas to the existing gas to energy pipeline or possibly to Liza Unity FPSO to further enhance oil recovery.