ExxonMobil has engaged Shearwater Geoservices to conduct a large-scale 3D seismic survey offshore Trinidad and Tobago, covering approximately 3,200 square kilometers in water depths up to 2,500 meters. The multi-vessel operation is scheduled to commence in the second quarter and is expected to deliver high-resolution subsurface imaging to support deepwater exploration efforts in the Columbus and Moruga blocks. The project carries an estimated capital commitment of $120 million and leverages Shearwater’s next-generation broadband technology, aimed at accelerating the evaluation of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs and de-risking well placement ahead of a planned drilling campaign in late 2026.

ExxonMobil has continued to reward shareholders through a combination of rising dividends and share repurchases, distributing $8.5 billion in dividends during the most recent quarter and authorizing $10 billion in buybacks for the current fiscal year. The company increased its quarterly payout by 4% to $1.03 per share in November, representing an annualized distribution of $4.12 and a yield of approximately 3.2%. These returns are supported by a strong balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12 and free cash flow of $15.2 billion over the past twelve months. Institutional confidence remains high: Campbell & Co Investment Adviser LLC established a new position of 15,166 shares valued at $1.71 million in Q3, while Vanguard and Geode Capital collectively increased their holdings by over 1.4 million shares during the same period.