TotalEnergies, operator of Suriname’s Block 58, says by the end of the year it will be able to determine if an announcement of the first commercial development offshore the South American country will be made.
The French oil major along with partner Apache have so far made four discoveries at Block 58 – Maka Central, Sapakara, Kwaskwasi and Keskesi.
“We have stuck to, this year, our appraisal programme to confirm the discoveries and be in a position to announce the first commercial development,” Jean-Michel Lavergne, President, Total E&P Americas told attendees at the Offshore Technology Conference on Wednesday.
“We have three wells Sapakara West, Sapakara South and Keskesi South and we will see at the end of the year where we stand and if we are in a position to announce the first commercial development and, in parallel, we keep exploring the block,” he added.
Lavergne said two exploration wells will be drilled soon – Bonboni, in the northern part of Block 58 and another prospect next to the Keskesi discovery.
“All in all, this activity in Guyana and Suriname eats up a significant portion of Total’s exploration budget worldwide,” he said. “We have about 20 to 25% of our exploration effort, which is located in this basin. So, it is a very core area.”
Block 58 comprises 1.4 million acres and offers significant potential beyond the discoveries made to date. Apache and Total have identified at least seven distinct play types and more than 50 prospects within the thermally mature play fairway.
