Exxon’s CEO says Guyana leading in oil development, now seeks to deepen bonds with Guyanese people

ExxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods says Guyana is now setting a global example for how quickly and successfully oil projects can be developed, while the company is also looking to build stronger long-term ties with the Guyanese people.

During ExxonMobil’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call, Woods praised Guyana’s rapid pace of oil development and described the country as one of ExxonMobil’s most important operations worldwide.

“Guyana continues to set the standard forexecution, development pace, and value creation,” Woods told investors.

The comments come as Guyana continues to experience major economic transformation driven by booming offshore oil production in the Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil and its partners have discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

According to Woods, ExxonMobil achieved record production in Guyana during the first quarter of 2026, while several massive offshore projects including Uaru, Whiptail and Hammerhead are moving ahead simultaneously. The Uaru project is expected to begin producing oil later this year.

But beyond oil production, Woods said ExxonMobil also wants to strengthen its relationship with Guyanese citizens and support the country’s long-term future.

“Consistent with our broader approach to support long-term economic development in countries where we operate, we’ve committed a US$100 million investment over 10 years to support national STEM education in Guyana, strengthening our bond with the people of Guyana and establishing a foundation for long-term prosperity,” he stated.

The investment will support science,technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Guyana and isexpected to help prepare young Guyanese for future careers in the country’sgrowing energy and technology sectors.

Woods also highlighted new technological breakthroughs being achieved offshore Guyana. He revealed that ExxonMobil recently completed its first fully autonomous deep-water well section in Guyana using advanced drilling automation technology designed to improve efficiency and safety.

Guyana has rapidly become one of ExxonMobil’s top-producing assets globally since first oil was produced in2019. The company has repeatedly described Guyana as one of its most profitable and lowest-cost oil developments anywhere in the world.

ExxonMobil’s wider first-quarter financial results also exceeded expectations. The company reported earnings per share ofUS$1.16, beating analysts’ forecast of US$1.03, while revenue reached US$85.14billion.

Even as global energy markets face uncertainty linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, ExxonMobil executives pointed to Guyana as a major driver of stability, production growth and long-term value for the company.