Suriname’s offshore oil industry is moving closer to first production, but local businesses and workers must prepare now if they want to capture the opportunities emerging from the sector, local content specialist Anne-Rita Wijdh says.
In an August 11 LinkedIn post, Wijdh pointed to the growing activity around TotalEnergies’ GranMorgu development in Block 58 and urged Surinamese to track developments across the country’s offshore blocks closely.
“GranMorgu is no longer a promise. It is becoming reality… If you want to be part of this industry, make it your daily habit to follow what is happening across all offshore blocks. Don’t wait for the government, an operator, or any other stakeholder to tell you where the opportunities are. Your future is your responsibility,” Wijdh wrote.
She noted that international companies are already establishing offices, forming partnerships and mobilizing equipment. Wijdh urged workers to keep their resumes current and address skills gaps through additional training.
“The companies are preparing…Update your CV [curriculum vitae] every month or at least every quarter, invest the time to create a professional CV — it is your first introduction to the industry, identify your skills gaps and actively work to close them. Today there are countless online learning platforms that make continuous development accessible to everyone,”
GranMorgu is being developed by TotalEnergies as Suriname’s first offshore oil project. The development covers the Sapakara and Krabdagu discoveries in Block 58 and is targeting first oil in 2028.
TotalEnergies holds a 40% interest in GranMorgu, with APA Corporation holding another 40% and Staatsolie the remaining 20%.
Project activity has continued to advance. TechnipFMC reported on August 4 that the first drilling equipment had departed, while other components required to connect subsea infrastructure to the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel had also been installed.
