Suriname’s Acting Exploration Manager at Staatsolie, Sharista Kalapnat-Kisoensingh, says the country’s offshore sector is maturing, with a range of complex developments requiring careful planning and collaboration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Suriname Energy Summit, where she chaired the appraisal and development session, Kalapnat-Kisoensingh said presentations focused on both the upcoming GranMorgu project in Block 52 and broader offshore technology trends.
“The key takeaway is to let the audience realize how wide the variety is of different developments, how complex it is and the different factors actually that determine what type of developments we should go with,” she stated. She noted that water depth, fluid type, and preparatory requirements are all critical elements in shaping investment decisions.
On Staatsolie’s role in guiding exploration programs, she emphasized that alignment with national objectives begins even before drilling plans are formalized.
“From the first phase of exploration, even before exploration wells are planned, we try to drive the whole process by first promoting the acreage, and there we negotiate the commitments, the work programs in the different acreages,” she explained.
Continuous engagement with operators is central, she added, stressing that Staatsolie seeks to influence decisions on work programs, drilling locations, and exploration targets to increase chances of success while ensuring adherence to contractual agreements.
Kalapnat-Kisoensingh pointed to recent drilling results as a key indicator of the basin’s potential. “The well results have shown or are proven, the further extension of the Golden Lane, but it also has provided…indication of much more potential in the entire basin,” she said.
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According to her, the integration of Suriname’s basin data with regional datasets from French Guiana, Guyana, and even the Atlantic margin of Africa is helping Staatsolie and its partners build a clearer picture of the country’s offshore prospects.
To attract even more investors, Staatsolie has announced that it will open a new offshore licensing round on November 24, 2025, providing investors with the opportunity to bid for open acreage under flexible contract terms.
The Open-Door Offering will allow companies to select their preferred area offshore Suriname and proceed with either a Joint Study Agreement (JSA)/Technical Evaluation Agreement (TEA) or a Production Sharing Contract (PSC).
