GEORGETOWN, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil's XOM.N fifth and sixth projects in Guyana called Uaru and Whiptail are progressing ahead of schedule and under budget, the oil major's president of Guyana operations said on Wednesday during an energy conference.

Alistair Routledge, Exxon Guyana President, declined to provide a specific timeline for startup of the projects, when asked by Reuters.

The Uaru project is currently slated to begin oil production this year, while Whiptail is anticipated to start up in 2027.

In a speech at the conference, Routledge also outlined an early plan to connect a gas pipeline it has already completed to a new potential pipeline that would deliver gas to Guyana's Berbice region in order to power industrial projects.