SURINAME-Shell plans new offshore drilling in Suriname.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – BG International Limited (Shell) is seeking approval from the National Environmental Authority (NMA) to conduct an exploration drilling program in Block 65, formerly Block 54.

The authorities said the program involves drilling up to four wells, starting with the Araku Deep-1 well, located 230 kilometers offshore at 960 meters.

The project’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) follows the guidelines of the NMA-approved Scoping Report and Terms of Reference. Pending final approval, drilling is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025.

Shell said it plans to deploy a dynamically positioned drillship, such as the Noble Voyager, supported by three supply vessels and helicopters for logistics and waste transport. The selection of the drillship has yet to be finalized, but once confirmed, details will be shared with the NMA.

Suriname’s offshore oil industry has attracted several international stakeholders as the country, a Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM), positions itself as an emerging oil hotspot. This follows significant discoveries by the UK-based multi-energy company TotalEnergies and APA Corporation, the holding company for Apache Corporation, an American company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration in adjacent blocks.

A year ago, the state-owned Staatsolie and BG and QatarEnergy signed a production-sharing contract for the block covering 5,030 km2. BG has an operational interest of 60 percent in the area and QatarEnergy 40 percent.
Malaysian Petronas recently submitted an environmental impact assessment to NMA to acquire 3D seismic in deep water block 63, a few days after TotalEnergies and APA took the final investment decision for offshore block 58.

The aim is to bring the first barrels of oil to the surface in 2028. The project in Block 58, with an investment budget of US$10 billion, will be Suriname’s first offshore oil development.