Now, U.S. officials are considering imposing sanctions on the Mohameds, according to four of the sources and two additional people familiar with the matter. The construction of the shore base is part of Exxon’s efforts to expand oil production off Guyana’s coast. The companies plan to expand output to 1.2 million bpd by 2027, a massive haul that would make Guyana’s production higher than what many OPEC nations, including neighboring Venezuela, produce today. Guyana is Exxon’s top bet for global oil production growth outside of the United States. Neither Hess nor CNOOC responded to requests for comment on the investigations into the Mohameds or the government’s meetings with Exxon.

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Persons: Nazar Mohamed, Washington, Mohamed, Irfaan Ali, ”, ” Nazar Mohamed, Azruddin Mohamed, “, Alistair Routledge, Hess, CNOOC Organizations: Guyana U.S, Exxon Mobil, Reuters, Exxon, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Russian, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, U.S, Routledge, The U.S, China National Offshore Oil Corporation Locations: GEORGETOWN, Guyana, U.S, The Texas, Venezuela, United States, Europe, Georgetown, China