LatAmOil: An estimated 4.6bn barrels discovered offshore Suriname

Consulting firm Wood Mackenzie has estimated that around 4.6bn barrels of oil and 12.5 trillion cubic feet (354bn cubic metres) of natural gas resources have been discovered to date offshore Suriname. 

To date, Suriname has recorded oil and gas discoveries in Block 52, Block 53, and Block 58. ExxonMobil and Petronas are equal partners in Block 52, while in Block 53, operator APA Corporation holds a 45% working interest while partners Petronas and CEPSA hold shares of 30% and 25% respectively. Block 58 is shared by APA Corporation and TotalEnergies. The Zanderij-1 well in Shell-operated Block 42 has also shown promising results, demonstrating a working petroleum system and net oil pay.

Wood Mackenzie's analysis indicates that gas accounts for 48% of Suriname's total discovered resources, highlighting the country's significant gas potential alongside its oil reserves. Suriname's offshore sector is still in its developmental stages, especially compared to its neighbour Guyana, where ExxonMobil's Stabroek Block is well-established with 11bn barrels of discovered resources, 20% to 30% of which is gas.