During his address at the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Tuesday, ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge underscored the oil company’s commitment to leveraging Guyana’s resources for the benefit of its people, all while ensuring the protection of the environment.
Exxon has been ramping up its oil production since first-oil in December 2019. Last November the company started production at its third project in the Stabroek Block, taking national output to 640,000 barrels per day. By 2027, Exxon aims to produce as much as 1.2 million barrels of oil per day.
In his address, Routledge noted that Exxon views its role as not just an energy producer but as a partner in the nation’s development journey. In outlining ExxonMobil’s approach, Routledge pointed out three key pillars: prioritizing people’s safety, safeguarding the environment, and producing oil responsibly and efficiently.
“We saw that this could be something quite special and we said well, we have to do this to the very best that we can. We have to deliver for the people of Guyana. We need to be a partner in the development of the country, so that ultimately everybody in the country can prosper and this will be an example for the rest of the world,” Exxon’s President stated.
Routledge said that while the company is approaching 650,000 barrels per day and shrinking discovery to production time, he noted that it is a critical combination of economic development, protecting the environment, and looking after the people.
He added, “We have to do this the right way and we have to do it efficiently and to maximize the return on the investment yes, but (also) for the country and do it in a way where we’re delivering the products that the world needs and reducing emissions in the process.”
“It starts with safety… in ExxonMobil everything starts with safety, because we won’t do anything, we won’t be able to work until we’re sure we can do it safely… in developing countries around the world safety isn’t always given the priority (it)should. We have made sure that that is how we start every day, every job and it’s been encouraging in my three and a half years here,” Exxon’s President said.
