Suriname has officially established the Ministry of Oil, Gas & Environment, following the publication of State Decree S.B. 2025 No. 124 on October 22. The decree, signed by President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, establishes and defines the tasks of all ministries.
Under the previous ministerial structure, the Ministry of Natural Resources oversaw all activities related to energy, minerals and hydrocarbons. With the new decree, oil and gas have been placed under a dedicated ministry, while Natural Resources will now focus on minerals, water and non-petroleum energy resources.
How exploration and production are governed in Suriname – Part 1
Under Article 22, the new ministry is assigned with developing national policy for the exploration, production and management of oil and gas reserves, while ensuring that development aligns with environmental protection and climate goals.
It will also oversee the drafting of legislation and regulations for the sector, manage the National Petroleum Database, advise on Production Sharing Contracts, and coordinate environmental and safety standards for the industry. It will develop a national oil spill response plan in collaboration with the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management and design a sustainable local content policy to foster entrepreneurship and employment.
This means that Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. will report directly to the Ministry of Oil, Gas & Environment, led by Minister Patrick Brunings.
The decree took effect retroactively from July 16, 2025, meaning the new ministry’s authority applies to all government actions since this date.
The new State Decree comes as Suriname prepares for its first offshore oil production in mid-2028, the Block 58 project led by TotalEnergies. The establishment of a dedicated oil and gas ministry marks a step toward strengthening institutional oversight, aligning petroleum policy with environmental protection and guiding the country’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.
