Guyana's Natural Resources Fund Reaches US$5.5 Billion After Q3 Receipts

The Ministry of Finance reported that the balance within Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) was approximately US$5.5 billion as of the end of the third quarter of 2026, according to the Guyana Times. This figure was presented by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during the presentation of the Notification of Receipts to the National Assembly, which covered all petroleum revenues deposited into the NRF between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, in compliance with Section 33 (2) of the NRF Act 2021.

Based on the receipts submitted to the House, over US$1.7 billion of the total US$5.5 billion was generated during this three-month period from Guyana's profit oil, according to the Guyana Times. ExxonMobil's four offshore operations in the Stabroek Block recorded three oil lifts in July, 10 in August and nine lifts in September.

Additionally, a royalty payment totaling US$111.2 million from the second quarter was paid into the NRF in July. Furthermore, the NRF received a signature bonus payment of US$99,985 in August, bringing the total amount paid into the Fund over the three months to US$1.88 billion.

On Wednesday, the Finance Ministry stated that the disclosure of these revenues serves to illustrate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government's commitment to transparency and accountability in managing the oil and gas sector, according to the Guyana Times. The Ministry noted that the PPP/C Government intends to manage Guyana’s oil and gas sector in a clear and transparent manner, ensuring that NRF resources are allocated to investments that benefit both current and future generations.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2026 Article IV Mission Staff concluding statement, released at the end of July, indicated that the ongoing accumulation of oil revenue in the NRF is assisting in building external and fiscal buffers, while substantial investments in physical and human capital are supporting non-oil growth and improving outcomes, particularly in health and education.

Guyana's NRF is held in an account at the New York Federal Reserve Bank in the United States. In the country’s 2026 Mid-Year Report, the fund's balance was listed at around US$4.29 billion.

Despite this, the US$5.5 billion in the NRF is anticipated to increase further later this year as ExxonMobil plans to commence its fifth offshore project, the Uaru Development, by the end of the year. This project, which utilizes the Errea Wittu Floating Production Offloading and Storage (FPSO) vessel, is projected to yield approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and will take the country’s output to more than one million barrels per day. The project is valued at US$12.7 billion.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had previously mentioned in May that Guyana might soon be in a position to invest some of its revenues abroad as the country's earnings continue to rise with increased production activities. At the Maple Leaf Gala hosted by the Guyana-Canada Business Chamber in Toronto on May 8, the Guyanese Leader stated that the National Resource Fund needed to identify investment opportunities. He added that as the Fund grows, they would look for opportunities that are safe, offer a good rate of return, and importantly, invest in countries and economies that share the same values, where the rule of law and predictability are key business factors.

President Ali also mentioned that Guyana could utilize its partnership with nations like Canada while exploring these opportunities. He stated that Guyana and Canada provide predictability in their investment environment, policymaking framework, shared values, rule of law, and beliefs, which he deemed important.