Opens an intriguing new chapter in Guyana’s gas story
ExxonMobil’s proposed Longtail development will introduce Guyana to natural gas production, expanding the nation’s energy portfolio beyond oil.
The project is set to reach a final investment decision in 2026 and will be the first in Guyana to focus on non-associated gas. It will help lay the groundwork for future gas production and strengthen the connection to the national Gas-to-Energy initiative in Wales.
A Different Kind of Development The company intends Longtail to operate as a gas and condensate facility. The plan is to recover valuable light hydrocarbons, known as condensate, while reinjecting most of the gas in the early years to maintain reservoir pressure and enhance production efficiency.
This approach marks a shift from previous projects, which were built primarily around oil production with limited gas handling capacity.
Large-scale Production and Design ExxonMobil Guyana expects the project to produce between 1 and 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, along with up to 290,000 barrels of condensate. Its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel will have storage capacity for two million barrels and will offload every three to five days.
It will feature the largest gas-handling system constructed so far for the Stabroek Block, with twice the gas compression capacity of previous FPSOs. The unit will rely entirely on gas recycling instead of water injection, a first for offshore Guyana.
Deep Reservoirs and Longer Life Longtail will draw from three fields: Longtail, Tripletail, and Turbot, discovered between 2017 and 2019. Together, these reservoirs hold several trillion cubic feet of gas, with about one trillion cubic feet expected to be commercially available.
ExxonMobil designed this project for a 30-year operating life, longer than its earlier oil developments, which typically span 20 years. Longtail’s subsea system will include between 24 and 60 wells connected through manifolds and production trees.
Connecting to the Gasto-Energy Network Situated at the eastern edge of the Stabroek Block, Longtail will tie into the Gas-toEnergy pipeline network as the ExxonMobil’s Longtail Project Gains Momentum ― Opens an intriguing new chapter in Guyana’s gas story Q4 2025 EDITION 35 domestic gas market expands. This link will be crucial for supplying natural gas to power generation, fertilizer production, and various industries.
By aligning with the Wales facility, Longtail could help provide a stable gas supply to support lower energy costs and improve reliability across the national grid.
Partnership and Investment The estimated cost of the project is USD12.5 billion. ExxonMobil operates the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess holds 30% and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited owns 25%.
Once approved, Longtail will become ExxonMobil’s eighth significant offshore development, following Liza Phases 1 and 2, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru, Whiptail, and Hammerhead.
The Way Forward Longtail’s focus on gas will broaden Guyana’s role in regional energy production and strengthen the foundation for a domestic gas industry.
As ExxonMobil moves toward its 2026 investment decision, the project stands out for its scale, design, and its link between offshore production and onshore energy use, a key step in the country’s evolving energy story.
