KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Petronas Suriname E&P B.V. (PSEPBV), has recorded two discoveries and achieved a successful appraisal in Suriname's offshore Block 52.
In a statement today, the national oil and gas company said this brings its cumulative achievements in the country to a total of eight successful wells, collectively unlocking recoverable resources of more than one billion barrels of oil equivalent.
The Caiman-1 exploration well, drilled in 90 metres of water to a total depth of 5,065 metres, encountered multiple oil-bearing Cretaceous sandstone intervals.
The Swartzia Aspasia Complex-1 (SAC-1) exploration well, located 8 kilometres (km) east of the Sloanea-1 gas discovery in 610 metres of water depth, and drilled to a total depth of 4,560 metres, intersected gas-bearing sandstone reservoirs.
Drill stem testing (DST) demonstrated strong gas deliverability, indicating good reservoir quality, the company said.
The Roystonea-2 appraisal well, drilled 7 km north of Roystonea-1, confirmed the lateral extent of oil-bearing reservoirs, with DST results indicating strong oil productivity, further validating the quality and extent of the reservoir system.
Petronas operates Block 52 with an 80 per cent participating interest, while the remaining 20 per cent is held by Paradise Oil Company N.V. (POC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie).
Petronas currently holds interests in eight offshore blocks in Suriname - Blocks 9, 10, 48, 52, 53, 63, 64, and 66.
Its chief operating officer, who is also executive vice president and chief executive officer of upstream, Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab, said the eight successful wells in Suriname, with recoverable resources of more than one billion barrels of oil equivalent, reflect the strength of the company's technical capabilities, disciplined execution, and strong partnership in Suriname.
"Block 52 sits within a highly prospective corridor, the Golden Lane, and we remain focused on translating this resource base into long-term value for Suriname and for Petronas.
"We thank Staatsolie for its support and collaboration in advancing our progress in the country.
"Petronas remains committed to Suriname’s broader ambitions to build local capability, develop human capital and create shared value for both our nations," said Mohd Jukris.
The company said these successes build on the commerciality declared for the Sloanea gas field in November 2025, with a final investment decision on its development targeted by the end of this year.
It added that these successes further strengthen the case for multiple oil and gas developments in Block 52 and Suriname’s emergence as a significant deepwater hub in the Suriname-Guyana basin. - Bernama
