US oil giant ExxonMobil has had to increase its torch of gas due to more issues on Liza Destiny’s ship gas compressor.
In a statement on Friday, the oil company said it was experiencing a technical issue with seal on Liza Destiny’s gas compressor.
“As a result of this unfortunate incident we have had to temporarily increase our flare over pilot levels in order to maintain safe operations,” the miser noted.
According to ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge, efforts are underway to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
“We are disappointed that this unexpected issue has happened and we are working diligently with the shipowner and equipment dealer to understand and repair the issue as soon as possible,” Routledge stated in the brief statement.
Exxon further noted that the relevant Government authorities have been informed and are providing regular updates on the matter.
Meanwhile, in the last few days, local environmentalist Annette Arjoon has been vocal on social media about the oil major re-blazing heavily at sea.
In a post on Facebook today, Arjoon showed a series of photos highlighting “… Exxon has continuously flamed despite only reporting a problem with their gas compressor [Friday] in the evening. The torch is exacerbated when fuel tankers lift fuel every seven days. Exxon flamed for all of 2020 because they were allowed to do so. They have not yet replaced the faulty compressor that flashes into 2021 giving the impression they expect there will be no results this year either. In a time of global climate crisis and especially when Guyana expects to continue its Low Carbon Development path. This environmental criminal torch takes us down the Carbon Lite Development Path. “
Just less than a year ago, the oil giant came under heavy fire for its torching activities, which are having negative impacts on the environment and which have got environmentalists up in arms over the damaging exercise.
In response to last year’s torch that lasted more than a year, ExxonMobil cut back on oil production in an effort to reduce torches after the fuel injection system was commissioned. He subsequently commissioned a gas injection system to break out a torch.
Back in December on the oil company’s first anniversary since production began in 2019, Routledge had expressed disappointment at the equipment issues they had experienced and had ensured that a normal torch would not be used.
“ExxonMobil Guyana is committed to responsible development of the country’s natural resources and will not use normal torches during our operations … We took significant steps to limit torching and are incorporating lessons learned for projects in the future, ”RRoutledge explained in the statement.
Nevertheless, the PPP / C Government has made its stance bellucid on routine torching and in the Payara Development License, suspended the activity unless approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Torching is not allowed to maintain oil production. Guyana’s Esso Exploration and Production Limited (EEPGL) will pay the Government for the cost of wasted gas during a torch and will also be subject to fines under the EPA related to torch emissions, ”the Ministry of Natural Resources has noted back in October. EEPGL is Exxon’s local liaison, which along with other partners operates in the Stabroek Block.
Further, if Exxon flashes gas and is at fault for doing so, they will have to pay Guyana a fine for the burnt gas.