Exxon applies to drill up to 35 more Stabroek wells
The wells would search for oil and test how big a find is.
In June, Exxon applied to Guyana's environmental regulator for permission to drill as many as 35 further wells in the Stabroek Block. Exploration wells look for new oil. Appraisal wells test how big a find is.
Energy Intelligence reported on 16 June 2026 that Exxon Mobil had applied for environmental approvals for a 35-well campaign in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana. Kaieteur News said in a report published on 20 October 2026 that Exxon made the application in June.
OilPrice.com reported that the Stabroek Block covers about 6.6 million acres offshore Guyana. It said Exxon's affiliate runs the block and holds 45%. It added that Chevron holds 30% after buying Hess in 2025, and CNOOC holds 25%. The group has made over 30 discoveries there, the outlet said.
ExxonMobil said the Exxon affiliate that runs the block is Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited. ExxonMobil said that in April 2022, after three new discoveries, it raised its estimate of the block's recoverable resource to nearly 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels.
Exxon has also reported a more recent find. Kaieteur News reported that ExxonMobil Vice President John Ardill described a "big discovery" in the middle section of the block. He said the find came about a month to six weeks before the Energy Intelligence Forum 2026.
Kaieteur News said ExxonMobil is doing appraisal work and production tests. The aim is to better define the new resource.
OilPrice.com reported that in late February 2026, Guyana was producing about 926,550 barrels a day. It said four more projects are in development, and the target is 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.
The story was first reported by Kaieteur News.