US OIL giant ExxonMobil said on Sunday it was pushing for more offshore exploration rights in Guyana’s west — a region disputed by neighbouring Venezuela.

Spokeswoman Kimberly Brasington said the transnational corporation had asked environmental authorities in the former British colony to drill to up to 40 new wells as it develops the Liza Phase 2 offshore oil field.  It already has 17 planned for the first phase.

Ms Brasington said the new project should kick in in 2022, two years after production is expected to start at the Liza 1 field.