ExxonMobil today said that it had experienced further problems with its troubled gas compressor and as a result production has been slashed.
Exxon’s renewed problems with its gas compressor in January this year led to controversial flaring from its Liza-1 platform.
After months of flaring it had embarked on the third and final phase of its testing of the repaired equipment when the new problem arose.
A statement today from ExxonMobil follows:
“As we conducted the final testing phase of the reinstalled flash gas compressor and other components of the system on the Liza Destiny FPSO, we encountered an additional problem with the discharge silencer.
“A team from SBM Offshore, MAN Energy Solutions and ExxonMobil are on site to assess repairs, with support from engineering experts in Europe and the USA. We have reduced production to a minimum level that mitigates formation of hydrates in subsea systems, maintains gas injection and fuel gas to the power generators, and minimizes flare.
“Relevant government agencies have been notified and we are continuing to work with officials to determine the next best steps.
“ExxonMobil Guyana is extremely disappointed by the design issues and continued underperformance of this unit, and will be working with the equipment manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and the vessel’s operator SBM to rectify the situation.
“This performance is below ExxonMobil’s global expectations for reliability.”
