ExxonMobil puts Shearwater on seismic duty offshore Guyana

June 11, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Norwegian marine geoscience and technology company Shearwater GeoServices has picked up a new distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) seismic assignment in the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana, thanks to a deal with ExxonMobil Guyana, a subsidiary of U.S.-headquartered energy giant ExxonMobil.

Shearwater has been awarded a DAS seismic program at Guyana’s Stabroek block by ExxonMobil, which enables the European player to undertake a two-month scope of work comprising source‑only seismic acquisition in support of a baseline DAS reservoir surveillance survey over the Yellowtail development area.

Irene Waage Basili, CEO of Shearwater, commented: “DAS programs may provide clients with specific insights into reservoir surveillance throughout a field’s life. Shearwater’s source technology, offshore execution experience, and flexible capacity enable vessels to switch between different modes to maximise vessel utilisation.”

The Norwegian firm has deployed the SW Empress in a triple source configuration, in direct continuation from a multiclient project in South America, where the vessel has been operating since November 2025.

Following a final investment decision (FID) in 2022 for ExxonMobil’s fourth project in the Stabroek block, the FPSO One Guyana began oil production in August 2025, as the fourth such unit delivered to Guyana.

The start-up brought the country’s total installed capacity to over 900,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). The operator expects to have a total production capacity of 1.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per day by 2030 from eight developments.

ExxonMobil Guyana operates the Stabroek block and holds a 45% interest, with Hess Guyana Exploration, now part of Chevron, holding 30% and CNOOC Petroleum the remaining 25%.