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Guyana faces IMF scrutiny over withheld US$19.6 billion ExxonMobil audit
Guyana is facing scrutiny over its management of massive oil revenues. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has flagged the government's failure to release a US$19.6 billion audit of ExxonMobil’s spending as a significant governance risk. This is the largest of three outstanding cost-oil audits currently held by the government.
While Guyana’s economy is growing rapidly—with a 19.3% real GDP growth in 2025 and a 22.3% projection for 2026—transparency concerns persist. One older audit from 1999–2017 involving US$214 million in disputed costs has moved to the International Chamber of Commerce for resolution.
Additionally, Guyana’s increased profit share from the Stabroek Block, which now stands at 39.8% plus a 2% royalty, may be temporary. Following the full recovery of ExxonMobil’s US$55 billion investment, the country has seen record revenues, including nearly US$1 billion in September. However, experts warn that new development projects could introduce fresh costs that might reduce Guyana's profit share back toward its original 12.5% level. President Irfaan Ali has indicated the government will seek expert advice on financing future projects to secure more durable returns.
Entities
ExxonMobil · Guyana · International Chamber of Commerce · International Monetary Fund · Irfaan Ali · Stabroek Block · Vickram Bhar
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Guyana has three outstanding cost-oil audits. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The IMF flagged the unpublished oil audits as a governance risk. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Guyana is withholding a US$19.6 billion audit of ExxonMobil’s spending. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The International Chamber of Commerce is working to appoint a sole expert to resolve a cost dispute. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Guyana's real GDP growth was 19.3% in 2025. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] An audit covering 1999–2017 flagged US$214 million in disputed costs. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] ExxonMobil has repaid its full US$55 billion investment in Guyana’s offshore fields. haitigazette.com · stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Guyana collected nearly US$1 billion in oil revenue in September. haitigazette.com · stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Guyana's real GDP is projected to hit 22.3% in 2026. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.newsamericasnow.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Guyana captured 39.8% of Stabroek Block profits plus a 2% royalty. haitigazette.com · stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · barbadosgazette.com