ExxonMobil has unleashed a wave of substantial drilling contracts that will significantly expand operations in two of the world’s hottest oil provinces, signaling deepening commitment to offshore development in Nigeria and Guyana.
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Ltd. has awarded Noble Corporation a lucrative two-year drilling contract for the Gerry de Souza drillship to work offshore Nigeria, with options for up to three additional years. The deal is expected to inject an estimated $292 million into Noble’s backlog and will resume operations through PIDWAL, Noble’s Nigerian joint venture with Derotech.
Noble plans to upgrade the Gerry de Souza for Managed Pressure Drilling ahead of the program, with operations expected to begin mid-2026 pending regulatory approvals. The project targets expansion of Nigeria’s offshore oil fields, particularly in the prolific deepwater areas off the country’s coast where significant reserves remain untapped.
Simultaneously in Guyana, ExxonMobil has awarded two additional rig years of backlog under its commercial enabling agreement, distributed evenly across four drillships: Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Tom Madden, and Noble Bob Douglas. Each rig’s contract now extends through February 2029, demonstrating ExxonMobil’s long-term confidence in Guyana’s massive offshore reserves and production potential.
The dual expansion underscores ExxonMobil’s strategic focus on high-value offshore plays and reflects growing global appetite for deepwater exploration and production in proven basins. Both Nigeria and Guyana have emerged as cornerstone assets in the company’s portfolio, with significant production growth and revenue generation expected in the coming years.
Source: orientalnewsng.com