Key facts
- Petronas has discovered natural gas in Block 52 offshore Suriname.
- Suriname's president anticipates a final investment decision on Block 52 by year-end.
- The Sloanea field, part of Block 52, was declared commercially viable for gas.
- This discovery marks a significant step for Suriname's hydrocarbon development.
Malaysia's state energy firm Petronas has announced a natural gas discovery in Block 52 offshore Suriname, according to the country's president. This development is a key step in Suriname's ambition to become a significant South American oil and gas producer, mirroring the success of neighboring Guyana.
Petronas operates Block 52, where three gas discoveries have already been made, including the Sloanea field, which was declared commercially viable for gas late last year. This declaration by Petronas and Staatsolie, Suriname's state oil company, confirms the project's readiness for development, pending a final investment decision expected by the end of the year.
Suriname's oil minister, Patrick Brunings, expressed optimism about further discoveries, suggesting that substantial gas finds could spur the development of related industries such as bauxite and petrochemicals. The country is actively exploring and developing offshore blocks, with TotalEnergies also involved in a major oil project in Block 58, expected to yield first oil in 2028.