PETRONAS Suriname E&P B.V. (PSEPBV), a subsidiary of the Malaysian energy giant, has announced plans to conduct a 3D seismic acquisition across Offshore Block 63 and the Ironman Prospect in Block 63/52, Suriname. This follows the signing of the production sharing contract (PSC) between PSEPBV and Suriname’s national oil company Staatsolie in December last year.
Block 63 covers an area of 6,042 square kilometers and is located approximately 173 to 268 kilometers off the northern shoreline of Suriname. The seismic survey is expected to start in October 2024 and will last about 150 days, according to the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) submitted to the Surinamese government. PETRONAS said the project will use a grid pattern of 138 lines, spanning a total of 11,335.3 line kilometers.
PSEPBV aims to gather crucial data about the subsurface structures to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential in the region. The seismic acquisition will employ a marine streamer survey with air guns and hydrophones. This technology generates vibrations that travel through the subsurface, producing detailed images for further analysis.
According to the project’s EIS, “The need for a seismic survey in the Guyana-Suriname offshore area is paramount, especially given the current stage of oil and gas development activities in the region.”
The Ironman Prospect, part of this survey, targets a Lower Cretaceous Carbonate play at a depth of 4,500 meters True Vertical Depth Below Sea Level (TVDSS), extending from Block 63 into Block 52.
PSEPBV emphasized that the 3D seismic data acquisition is critical to future exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons in Suriname. “Without seismic surveys, the future exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons would be effectively halted,” the EIS outlined.
Last November, PETRONAS hit pay at the Roystonea-1 exploration well in Block 52.
In addition to Block 52, PETRONAS Suriname also operates block 48 with a 100% participating interest and holds a 30% non-operating participating interest in the adjacent Block 53, where the Baja-1 oil discovery was made in 2022.
