MODEC’s FPSO reaches Guyana as ExxonMobil’s fifth oil project nears start-up
The FPSO Errea Wittu has arrived in Guyanese waters to prepare for production at the Uaru field, marking the Japanese firm's first deployment in the Stabroek block.
Japan's MODEC has confirmed the arrival of the FPSO Errea Wittu in Guyana, where it will undergo final commissioning before beginning operations. According to Offshore Energy, the vessel is designated for ExxonMobil's fifth project in the Stabroek block, which integrates the Mako, Snoek, and Uaru resources. The unit is expected to start up in September 2026, with the first oil production from the Uaru field scheduled for the final quarter of that year.
The vessel utilizes a new double-hull design and features a gas turbine combined cycle system to lower carbon emissions. It is equipped with artificial intelligence to monitor equipment health and enhance process safety. Positioned approximately 200 kilometers offshore in 1,690 meters of water, the facility is capable of storing 2 million barrels of crude oil and processing 250,000 barrels per day.
Soichi Ide, a senior executive at MODEC, stated that the project's progress "reflects our continued commitment to delivering offshore energy solutions safely" while utilizing technical expertise from decades of global operations. Beyond the initial delivery, the Japanese company will provide ongoing maintenance and operational services for the unit as part of a long-term agreement with the block operator.
ExxonMobil Guyana leads the $12.7 billion Uaru development with a 45 percent stake, alongside partners Hess Guyana Exploration and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana. The field is estimated to contain over 800 million barrels of oil. This deployment precedes further planned projects in the region, including the Whiptail, Hammerhead, and Longtail developments which are currently in various stages of engineering and approval.
Editorial Desk — Trade Flow Insight. Reporting and market notes compiled by the Trade Flow Insight editorial team.
Related coverage
Brent Back Above $100 as Houthis Hit Saudi Infrastructure
Crude oil prices, which dipped on Tuesday, reversed their direction, with Brent ticking above $100 again earlier today following reports of fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $101.49 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $90.14 per barrel, despite a statement from Saudi Arabia’s energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who said Tuesday the kingdom’s oil flows via the Rast-West pipeline had rebounded to 5.8 million barrels daily. The statement…
Iranian Oil Starts Flowing to Tajikistan Despite U.S. Sanctions Risk
Tajikistan announced that it is now receiving oil and petroleum products from Iran, opening a potential new energy source for a country whose fuel supplies have long been dominated by Russia. The deliveries began in late August, Tajikistan's Energy and Water Resources Ministry told the Asia-Plus news agency, following talks between the two countries on expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The ministry has not disclosed the volume of the shipments, their commercial terms, or how the oil and petroleum products were transported to Tajikistan.…
Iran’s Disappearing Oil Is Becoming Everyone’s Problem
Iranian oil is disappearing from the market just as its biggest buyer returns for more. China’s recovering crude demand is colliding with the loss of a supplier that sustained its independent refiners through the crisis, forcing them to compete for increasingly expensive alternatives. The consequences reach beyond China: every replacement barrel tightens supplies for other buyers, while Tehran faces a growing incentive to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, which is now carrying an unexpectedly strong 13 million barrels a day (just 5 million below…