French offshore marine services company Bourbon has secured a long-term vessel support assignment offshore Guyana from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the local subsidiary of U.S.-based energy group ExxonMobil.
A few months after agreeing a five-year deal with ExxonMobil in Angola, Bourbon has now signed a second five-year contract, including extension options, with EMGL to provide marine services off the South American country.
The new scope will start in the first quarter of 2026, when the large platform supply vessel (PSV) Bourbon Calm is commissioned. The vessel will transport products required to support offshore activities in what has become one of the most active oil basins globally.
Oil discoveries made in 2015 helped turn Guyana into one of the fastest-growing offshore production areas, alongside plans to bring additional floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units into operation.
Since 2019, Bourbon has been involved in the development of the offshore industry in Guyana, drawing on the technical capabilities of its fleet and the experience of its local teams. The company describes the service solution offered under the new agreement as competitive, sustainable and ready for immediate deployment.
According to Bourbon, the contract marks an important step for the local market because, for the first time, chemicals will be carried in Guyana by a PSV in accordance with the OSV Chemical Code. Once this framework is in place, Bourbon Calm will be among a small number of offshore vessels worldwide cleared to perform this type of operation.
To enable this role, a series of changes has been implemented on board, including alterations to pumping systems, upgraded tank-cleaning capability and reinforced operating procedures. These upgrades have been approved by the maritime authorities and by classification society DNV.
Bourbon’s Chief Commercial Officer, Karim Mebarek, said the award shows ExxonMobil Guyana’s confidence in the company’s ability to provide safe, innovative and cost-efficient marine services that comply with strict regulatory standards. He added that Bourbon Calm, with its design and above-average liquid storage capacity, is intended to meet demanding technical and environmental requirements while maintaining a strong focus on operational safety.
In Guyana, ExxonMobil’s approved development portfolio currently includes Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru, Whiptail and Hammerhead. A proposed eighth project, Longtail, is still undergoing regulatory review.
