PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – TotalEnergies will launch a new online portal to improve transparency and maximize local participation in its US$10.5 billion GranMorgu oil development.
“Our goal is to make it transparent so everybody can apply,” Country General Manager, Arthur Nunes Da Silva, said during a presentation at the Suriname Energy Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS). “That’s why we are putting in place a portal where everybody can come.”
The portal will display all available contracts and tenders linked to GranMorgu.
“It has three functions. First, it shows all the contracts. Second, it shows all the calls for tender. Third, it provides visibility on who is working in the industry,” Da Silva said. He explained that the portal will allow Surinamese companies to compete for contracts and also register their services. “It’s not just for stories. It’s for everybody.”
Da Silva pointed to the success of a local transportation company that used the system to land a contract. “They told me it was quite difficult, the qualification, but they did it,” he said. “It is not an international company. It is a small company, and they are doing well.”
The portal is one of three pillars in TotalEnergies’ local content strategy.
The first is workforce development. “We are working on developing programs with universities and vocational schools to service our industry,” Da Silva said. “We are supporting training and education with the cooperation of the state and our contractors.”
The second is strengthening local suppliers. He explained, “We are developing programs to help companies upgrade their capabilities to meet our requirements and standards.”
The third pillar is optimizing in-country value. “We are mapping supply chains where there is capability in Suriname, such as waste treatment services. We’ll work with our contractors to create local opportunities,” Da Silva said.
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He confirmed that over 180 companies in Suriname are already working with TotalEnergies on the GranMorgu project. “So far, we’ve spent US$150 million in Suriname during exploration and appraisal. We created 450 jobs and hired 22 staff, 60% of them women.”
GranMorgu will enter the production phase in 2028. “That’s when the contribution starts the most,”
He said 6,000 jobs will be created, and TotalEnergies expects to spend US$1 to 1.5 billion locally. “Everything, except the FPSO, will come to Paramaribo first. It will be stored, prepared, and transported from here,” he explained.
Da Silva noted the importance of the portal in making these opportunities visible. “Everybody has a chance. If someone is looking for a job, they should be able to find it on the portal.”
