The United States’ (US) State Department on Saturday warned Venezuela that if its military threats against ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels and violation of Guyana’s borders continue, unspecified action would be taken, according to DemeraraWaves.
“Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime,” the State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs said on X. No details were provided.
In November 2024, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, a subsidiary of U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil, completed the acquisition of the FPSO “Prosperity” from Dutch FPSO operator SBM Offshore Transaction. The transaction is valued at approximately US$1.23 billion and will be completed prior to the maximum lease term, which expires in November 2025. The acquisition gives Guyana ownership of the FPSO, which SBM Offshore will continue to operate and maintain until 2033.
“Prosperity” has a capacity of 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day, a water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day and a storage capacity of 2 million barrels. The FPSO has been deployed in the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana since November 2023 and is operated under an integrated operations and maintenance model combining the expertise and experience of SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil to ensure superior operational performance.
Guyana government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Demerara Waves Online News that the Venezuelan military left the Stabroek Block where they had informed the FPSO Prosperity that that vessel was purportedly in disputed international waters.
Guyana currently produces 650,000 barrels per day of crude and could eventually produce more than one billion cubic feet of gas from Longtail alone.
The US said Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s FPSO is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognized maritime territory. “The United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award,” the American government said.
President Irfaan Ali said on X that Guyana would not allow Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro and his country to breach Guyana’s sovereignty. “Make no mistake of it: fortified by the strong voices and resolute support of our international partners, Guyana will not allow Maduro and Venezuela to threaten or violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Guyana’s aircraft and Coast Guard assets were deployed to the area on Saturday, he said.
Reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to the rule of international law, peaceful resolution of controversies, and the power of diplomacy, Dr Ali praised the international community for its backing. “We appreciate greatly the international solidarity and unwavering support that have been extended to us by our international partners on this matter. We will remain in close contact with our partners in protecting Guyana’s interests and maintaining peace in our Region,” he said.
The dispute is before the International Court of Justice for a ruling on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award of the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
The Organisation of American States (OAS) on Saturday condemned Venezuela’s latest aggression against Guyana.
Earlier Saturday, the President of Guyana said the United Kingdom, United States, France and Brazil as well as the Caribbean Community and its Regional Security System were informed about the incursion that began at about 7 a.m. on Saturday and lasted for several hours. The Secretaries General of the OAS, Commonwealth and United Nations were also informed.