IRVING, United States — US oil giant ExxonMobile has discovered more oil in the Payara reservoir offshore Guyana.

In making the announcement on Tuesday, ExxonMobil Corporation says this increases the total Payara discovery to approximately 500 million oil-equivalent barrels.

“These positive well results increase the estimated gross recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to between 2.25 billion oil-equivalent barrels and 2.75 billion oil-equivalent barrels,” the company said.

The well drilled by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd contained 59 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone in the Payara field.

ExxonMobil said it was safely drilled to 19,068 feet in approximately 7,000 feet of water.

The well is only 12 miles northwest of the recently funded Liza phase 1 project on the Stabroek Block, which is approximately 130 miles offshore Guyana.

“Payara-2 confirms the second giant field discovered in Guyana,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.

“Payara, Liza and the adjacent satellite discoveries at Snoek and Liza Deep will provide the foundation for world-class oil developments and deliver substantial benefits to Guyana. We are committed to continue to evaluate the full potential of the Stabroek Block.”

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd holds 25 per cent interest.

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world.