On the northeastern coastline of South America, Guyana is the location of one of the most significant oil discoveries in the past decade. Using industry-leading technology, ExxonMobil is working to develop, reliably produce and deliver energy resources from these discoveries to the global market. And, the Liza Unity floating production storage and offloading vessel, where oil can be processed, stored and transferred to tankers, is the first in the world to receive a SUSTAIN-1 notation by the American Bureau of Shipping for its sustainable design and operation procedures.

How can ExxonMobil reliably deliver energy that meets global needs while helping reduce air emissions?

 ExxonMobil achieves this through more sustainable design and operations like the Liza Unity vessel in Guyana. The Liza Unity in Guyana is the world’s first floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to be awarded the SUSTAIN-1 notation for sustainable design and operations. FPSOs are vessels where oil can be processed, stored and transferred to tankers. From there it’s delivered to the global market.

Based in the Stabroek Block, over 100 miles offshore Guyana, Liza Unity adds an additional 220,000 barrels of oil per day to the global market, bringing production capacity in Guyana to more than 350,000 barrels per day in 2022. This translates to 20 gallons of gas and 12 gallons of diesel or heating oil per barrel. Guyana is becoming a major source of energy, with more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels discovered in recent years. Vessels like the Liza Unity help develop oil and gas resources with lower air emissions through sustainable design and operations.

Liza Unity was designed and built – and now operates – in alignment with the American Bureau of Shipping’s SUSTAIN-1 Notation and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The vessel is more energy efficient and has a lower air emissions impact than other vessels.

“The SUSTAIN-1 notation focuses on the environmental aspect of [a vessel’s] design and monitoring. It focuses on waste management, protecting the marine environment around your surroundings, reduction of air emissions, and efficiency in your overall process. We were able to show that for the Liza Unity in Guyana and became the first FPSO to do so.” – Travys Townson, Unity Asset Manager

More than 3,500 Guyanese and 800 local suppliers support ExxonMobil’s activities in country, including the Liza Unity, driving economic development and advancing modern life in Guyana.

“Having the SUSTAIN-1 notation, which ties to the UN’s sustainable development goals, shows how we are focusing on sustainability and minimizing our impact on the environment.” – Travys Townson, Unity Asset Manager

Designing more efficient vessels for operation in Guyana ensures the ability to meet global production needs while supporting lower-emission energy goals.

Liza Unity is just the start. “We signed an agreement to bring another vessel online in 2023 that is also designed to operate and meet the SUSTAIN-1 requirements. We’re focused on lowering the air emissions in our operations, as we work to ensure a stable supply of energy to the global market.”

Guyana is becoming a major source of energy, with more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels discovered in recent years. Vessels like the Liza Unity help develop oil and gas resources with lower air emissions through sustainable design and operations.