Photo by Robert Seale
if development were to occur, he views the relationship with ExxonMobil as similar to the forging of a long-term partner- ship. “ExxonMobil for us is more than just a company; it’s more like a trusted partner who is add- ing value to our association … a partner with whom we can share our vision.” Office evolution Jeff Simons remembers when the company started gearing up in earnest a few years ago for its commitment to drill the Liza 1 well. “The first team on the ground set up desks and phones in a
suite that Queen Elizabeth had once used during her visit to the country in 1994,” Simons recalls. “Their equipment was basically a copy machine and a computer connection to Houston. Soon after I arrived, staffing grew to four employees, and we set up a transition office in a small space in an apartment building outside of town.” By November 2014, with the start of Liza drilling drawing near, the core team and several addi- tional employees moved to larger quarters on New Market Street in the center of the city, close to various government offices and
a new hotel. More specialists in drilling; geology; computer and telecommunications support; safety, health and environment; procurement; public and govern- ment affairs and other functions have since joined the staff, which now numbers about 20 employ- ees and contractors. “But even as the office has grown, we operate as a close- knit team, where everyone looks out for each other and helps get things done,” Simons says. Technology and talent Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Com-
pany, believes the success of the Liza 1 well is a fine example of ExxonMobil technology, experi- ence and talent at work. “We applied advanced seismic imaging and analysis; our global experience; and an integrated, well-planned approach by talent- ed teams in Guyana and Houston to successfully overcome the un- certainties of a truly frontier well that will add valuable resources to ExxonMobil’s portfolio and create great value for the nation of Guyana,” he says.
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