PARAMARIBO — In the recently concluded bidding round for the shallow offshoreblocks 9 and 10 have received several bids from international consortia, according to the proposal that Staatsolie presented to the government on Tuesday. A different operator is proposed for each block.
The bidding round ran from November 2024 to May 2025 and focused on oil exploration in relatively shallow sea areas, the so-called shallow offshorezones. International oil companies were invited to submit bids. After the bidding period closed, an independent evaluation committee assessed the bids received and prepared a proposal for further decision-making.
“Possible presence of natural gas (associated gas) can only be discussed at a later stage”
Enrollment encouraging
Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo: “What I can say is that the results are encouraging.” According to him, Staatsolie’s proposal presented to the government will be discussed during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday (today).
The minister emphasized that this bidding round primarily concerns oil exploration and production. Possible presence of natural gas (associated gas) can only be discussed at a later stage, depending on the further development of the exploration activities.
South Central Shallow Offshore 3D Seismic Project
In the meantime, Staatsolie is making preparations for activities in other parts of the maritime area. The company invites stakeholders to a stakeholder meeting on October 30 on the South Central Shallow Offshore 3D Seismic Project.
The project involves conducting three-dimensional seismic research in the south-central part of Surinamese shallow offshorearea, off the coast of Saramacca and Coronie. The proposed acquisition area covers approximately two thousand square kilometers with water depths ranging from twenty to forty meters.
With this research, Staatsolie wants to accurately map potential oil deposits in promising areas. The draft environmental management and monitoring plan has been prepared and is available for public inspection. The results and recommendations from this report will be discussed during the meeting.
