ExxonMobil yesterday announced that the repaired and upgraded flash gas compressor and silencers for the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) platform have arrived offshore Guyana for reinstallation.
According to a statement from the company, necessary technical experts have also arrived in country after being appropriately tested and isolated in COVID-19 staging facilities. They will support experts in country with the reinstallation.
More than a month ago, Exxon revealed that the flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny FPSO had malfunctioned resulting in it having to temporarily increase flaring above pilot levels in order to maintain safe operations. Following the malfunction, the gas compressor and other key parts from the FPSO were sent to Germany for repairs.
Last week it was announced that logistics for its departure from Germany were being finalized following the successful completion of repairs, upgrades and mechanical testing of the compressor by MAN Energy Solutions, the equipment’s manufacturer, with quality assurance and control by experts from the vessel’s owner SBM Offshore as well as ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil has been severely criticised for the resumption of gas flaring above pilot level following problems with the gas compressor.
Specifically the removal of the gas compressor saw oil production pared to 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) – the previously stated maximum capacity of the FPSO – while gas flaring increased to 16 million cubic feet per day.
According to former director of the Environmental Protection Agency Dr Vincent Adams, Exxon would need to be producing 105,000 bpd in order to bring flaring into compliance with the Liza-1 permit.
