By Kiana Wilburg
When it comes to the utilisation of Guyana’s gas resources, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd. Alistair Routledge has confirmed that all options, including conversion to Liquefied Natural Gas (NGL), remain on the table.
Routledge provided this clarification during his maiden appearance on the Starting Point Podcast – The Oil and Gas edition. There, he addressed concerns by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo that the company appears to be only focused on utilising gas for power generation, data centres or the conversion of bauxite to aluminium. The Vice President expressed his dissatisfaction with the exclusion of LNG following reports in the press after an October 13, 2025, press conference by Routledge.
Routledge told Starting Point that LNG was never removed from the table.
“We keep our aperture open as far as gas development [is concerned] and how to maximise the value of the nation’s gas resource until we can finalise what are the investment opportunities that deliver the highest value and we’re able to secure contracts in order to execute those.”
Routledge reiterated that for the seven oil projects approved in the Stabroek block offshore, they will typically produce what is termed “black oil.” The gas that is produced in association with those projects is largely used for re-injection purposes or piped to shore to support Guyana’s energy and industrial needs, as is the case with the gas-to-energy project, which will come on stream next year.
The eighth project on ExxonMobil’s radar is Longtail, a “non-associated” gas field. This means that the field is not associated with significant liquids in the way it is present in black oil fields. The predominant resource is gas. What also makes the Longtail project special is the fact that it will produce condensate.
Many non-associated gas fields produce condensate, a liquid that looks as clear as vodka or water. Since it is on the lighter side of the petroleum spectrum, it carries a higher price per barrel on the global market.
Given the extensive studies it has done thus far on the utilisation of Guyana’s gas resources across the Straboek block, Routledge said there are a few prime options for the country. These include power generation, fertiliser production to boost agriculture, bauxite conversion to alumina, conversion to bottled cooking gas, exporting gas as LNG through a pipeline if you are close enough to another gas market, or export via special vessels to other parts of the world.
The big question for Guyana is: Where does it see the highest return? In domestic use alone, or a hybrid version that involves exports too?
Whatever the decision is going forward, Vice President Jagdeo has made it clear—this choice is Guyana’s and her people will decide the way forward.