GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A representative of Exxon Mobile in Guyana says an effort to find oil and natural gas in waters off the South American country is showing promise.

Country Manager Jeff Simons says the company has found hydrocarbons at an Atlantic Ocean site northwest of the capital. Simons declined to provide specifics and said the company was still evaluating the discovery to determine if it's commercially viable.

Decades of exploration in Guyana have yet to locate a viable source of oil or gas despite the proximity of energy-rich Venezuela and Trinidad.

Venezuela claims the area where Exxon Mobil has been exploring and has denounced the effort.

Guyana Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud planned to meet Thursday with company officials to discuss the find.