Exxon committed to moving fast to develop gas in Guyana, executive says

By Sheila Dang and Kemol King

GEORGETOWN, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil XOM.N is committed to moving fast to develop natural gas in Guyana, the U.S. energy major's upstream chief Dan Ammann said on Tuesday, a key move amid the country's push for increased gas output and supply.

The Guyanese government has pressed Exxon to devise and build projects to use natural gas including for petrochemical plants and possible data centers.

Last year, Exxon unveiled an early-stage plan called the "Wales Gas Vision" to provide gas for several petrochemical and power projects onshore. Little progress has been made on the plan since then.

In a speech at the Guyana Energy Conference on Tuesday, Ammann said natural gas projects were more complex than oil, requiring cooperation with a greater number of players like public utilities, communities and regulators. He reiterated that a pipeline Exxon constructed was ready to deliver gas to Guyana and the company was waiting for power plants to be completed this year.

"When government advances permitting approvals and market frameworks, we will advance engineering, execution, and investment in lockstep," Ammann said.

"We are ready and we will match the pace of our partners," he added.