Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM, along with partners Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited, continues to negotiate with the government of Guyana over the terms for developing the shallow-water offshore block S8, per a Reuters report. This followed XOM’s successful bid in a late 2022 auction led by president Irfaan Ali’s administration.

According to the report, an ExxonMobil spokesperson confirmed the ongoing talks via email but did not disclose specific plans for the block, for example whether it would be used for carbon capture and storage (CCS) or traditional oil and gas exploration.

Last month, Guyana’s vice president Bharrat Jagdeo stated that ExxonMobil's consortium withdrew from the auction after a proposed carbon sequestration project failed to gain government support. However, Jagdeo clarified on Thursday that ExxonMobil has since reiterated its interest in the block, hinting at a misunderstanding that might have occurred.

The S8 block is part of a broader push by Guyana to develop its oil and gas resources. The government offered 14 blocks in its latest auction. Eight of these blocks received bids from prominent energy firms, including Petronas, TotalEnergies and CNOOC. Jagdeo expressed optimism about finalizing agreements with other bidders, particularly TotalEnergies, in the near future.

The shallow-water block represents a key opportunity for ExxonMobil and its partners to expand their footprint in Guyana, a rapidly growing oil-producing nation. As the consortium’s talks with the Guyanese government progress, it remains to be seen whether the focus will shift toward CCS projects or remain rooted in traditional hydrocarbon exploration.

ExxonMobil's engagement in the shallow-water block aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging global opportunities for growth. Any favorable outcome from these discussions could strengthen its exploration and production portfolio, benefiting long-term shareholders. However, uncertainties surrounding project specifics and potential government negotiations remain.

XOM’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

ExxonMobil currently carries a Zack Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors interested in the energy sector may look at some better-ranked stocks like Smart Sand, Inc. SND, FuelCell Energy FCEL and Nine Energy Service NINE, each presently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Smart Sand is a low-cost producer of high-quality Northern White frac sand, an ideal proppant for hydraulic fracturing and various industrial applications. The company provides proppant and other logistics services for several companies in the oil and gas industry. With sustained oil and gas market demand, SND is expected to see growing demand for its services, reflecting a positive outlook.

FuelCell Energy is a clean energy company offering low-carbon energy solutions. It produces power using flexible fuel sources such as biogas, natural gas and hydrogen. The company designs fuel cells that generate electricity through an electrochemical process that combines fuel with air, thereby reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the environmental impact of power generation. As such, FCEL is anticipated to play a crucial role in the energy transition by enabling industries and communities to shift from traditional fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.

Nine Energy Service provides onshore completion and production services for unconventional oil and gas resource development. The company operates across key prolific basins in the United States, including the Permian, Eagle Ford, MidCon, Barnett, Bakken, Rockies, Marcellus and Utica, as well as throughout Canada. With a sustained demand for oil and gas in the future, the demand for NINE’s services is anticipated to increase, which should position it for growth in the long run.

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