Exploration Drilling Program in Suriname’s Offshore Area Set to Begin

France’s energy giant TotalEnergies is gearing up for drilling activities off the coast of Suriname in collaboration with Stena Drilling, an offshore drilling contractor.

TotalEnergies is preparing to drill the Macaw-1 exploration well in Block 64 by mid-May 2025, as confirmed by Suriname’s national oil company, Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname (Staatsolie). This drilling program is expected to unlock new oil and gas opportunities in the Suriname-Guyana basin.

With the necessary permits secured, TotalEnergies has engaged Stena Drilling to conduct the operations using the Stena DrillMAX drillship. The rig has undergone maintenance and safety checks in Curaçao and is scheduled to depart for Suriname on May 15, with drilling commencing on May 19, 2025.

The drilling process is estimated to take 80 working days and will be supported by a shore base in Suriname for logistical operations. Personnel and supplies will be transported to the vessel from Paramaribo, providing a boost to the local offshore oil and gas industry.

Block 64, located in Suriname’s territorial waters, holds significant potential for exploration. TotalEnergies leads the venture with a 40% stake and partners with Petronas and QatarEnergy, each holding a 30% interest.

Staatsolie anticipates a busy year ahead with five exploration wells planned in different blocks in Suriname’s offshore area. The Macaw-1 well is the first of these wells and will be followed by Caiman-1 and Kiskadee-1 in Block 52, Korikori-1 in Block 5, and Araku Deep-1 in Block 65.

While the ‘golden lane’ remains a focal point for exploration, these additional wells aim to uncover new opportunities outside this designated area. Success in these drilling endeavors could pave the way for significant growth in Suriname’s offshore oil and gas industry.

Staatsolie expresses optimism about the potential outcomes of the exploration program and views this year as crucial for the industry’s development in Suriname. This initiative follows the NOC’s efforts to secure funding for the first offshore oil field in the country.