Exxon's gas-focused Longtail project is under Government review
Exxon wants Longtail, its eighth Stabroek project, to start in 2030.
Longtail is Exxon's eighth project in the Stabroek development. The Government is reviewing it, and Exxon proposes a start-up in 2030. It would be the first Stabroek project built heavily around gas.
Kaieteur News said in a report published on 21 October 2026 that Longtail is still under review.
Kaieteur News reported that the Government's Mid-Year Report says the review has two parts. One part is the Field Development Plan, the project plan Exxon sent in March 2026. The other part is Exxon's application for a production licence. Kaieteur News reported that Exxon has also applied for a ninth project, Haimara. Kaieteur News said Haimara is also focused on gas.
Energy Now reported that Longtail would follow seven approved Stabroek projects. At the time, four of them were producing about 900,000 barrels of oil a day. The other three were due to start in 2026, 2027 and 2029. Energy Now (Trinidad and Tobago) said the co-venturers are Exxon, Chevron and CNOOC. Energy Now said Chevron had recently acquired Hess.
Exxon is also looking for more oil and gas in the block. In June, Exxon asked the Environmental Protection Agency for permission to drill up to 35 more exploration and appraisal wells, Kaieteur News reported. Exxon has said that AI-enabled analysis of earlier seismic data found about five more prospects in the block.
Kaieteur News cited a Reuters exclusive, which reported that Exxon cut the natural gas available for government projects. Exxon did this because of its crude oil output target.
Kaieteur News reported Exxon's schedule for Longtail. Drilling would start in 2027, and underwater equipment would go in during 2028. The FPSO is a floating vessel that produces, stores and offloads oil. Installing it and starting up would come between 2028 and 2031. The field is planned to last at least 30 years. For now, Exxon proposes a 2030 start-up, and the Government review is still going on.
The story was first reported by Kaieteur News.