Suriname Enhances Deepwater Resource Exploration Strategy
Suriname’s state oil company, Staatsolie, has filed an environmental impact assessment to support a 2D and 3D seismic programme in the Demerara deepwater area. Filmogaz.com previously reported the company appointed engineering and consultancy firm Ilaco to prepare the EIA.
The planned survey covers roughly 45,000 km². It lies between 90 and 370 km offshore and spans water depths from 100 to 4,000 m.
Survey scope and timeline
The seismic campaign is set to run for 15 months. During that period, operators will target about 20,000 km² for detailed data acquisition.
Both 2D and 3D seismic methods will be used to map subsurface structures. Results will guide future exploration decisions.
Purpose and potential operators
Data from the survey will inform future exploration activities. Staatsolie may pursue development itself, invite external companies, or form partnerships.
Findings will also support licensing and farm-out opportunities across Suriname’s offshore acreage. The move forms part of a broader effort to improve exploration planning.
Regulatory and public documentation
The EIA totals 349 pages and is written in Dutch. It is available for review in the Documents box linked to the filing.
Regulators will assess environmental risks before approvals proceed. The assessment is a key step in permitting seismic operations.
Broader licensing activity
Staatsolie currently runs an open-door process for offshore acreage. The offering covers five sectors totaling more than 70,000 km².
Depths in that open-door area range from 5 to 3,000 m. The process aims to attract exploration partners and operators.
Related industry activity
Separately, BGP and partner TGS, together with Staatsolie, completed a new multi-client 3D towed-streamer survey offshore Suriname. That commercial survey will add regional data for explorers.
These coordinated moves show how Suriname enhances deepwater resource exploration strategy. The country continues to expand technical capacity and data availability for deepwater prospects.
- Filing: Environmental impact assessment submitted by Staatsolie.
- Preparation: Ilaco contracted to prepare the EIA.
- Area: ~45,000 km², 90–370 km offshore, 100–4,000 m depths.
- Targeted acquisition: 20,000 km² over 15 months.
- EIA length: 349 pages, in Dutch.
- Open-door acreage: five sectors, >70,000 km², 5–3,000 m depths.
- Related survey: New multi-client 3D towed-streamer acquisition by BGP and TGS with Staatsolie.
