PARAMARIBO, SURINAME — Suriname is still far from ready for the major developments that the oil and gas sector will bring starting in 2028. That critical warning was the focus of the well-attended panel discussions on local content at the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS) 2026 on Wednesday.
Speakers were in strong agreement that the country is significantly behind in its preparations, while the time until first oil is rapidly running out. Dimitri Lemmer, secretary of the Local Content Board of the Office of the President, said it plainly. “Suriname is on the verge of major developments. But those developments must not overlook local entrepreneurs and employers. That is the crux of the matter,” he explained.
According to him, it is therefore essential that the government do everything in its power to ensure that the oil and gas sector provides sustainable added value for the country. A sound, stable local content law is one of the fundamental elements that must be put in place. But training programs for local workers are also necessary. “These are matters the government must address in advance—not to be unfriendly toward investors, but to move forward together with them,” Lemmers explained.
Leandro Soediredjo, deputy director of Laboratory Studies at the Institute for Natural Resource and Engineering Studies (NATIN), pointed out — as did Joyce Lapar, director of the Foundation for Labor Mobilization and Development (SAO) — the lack of available information about the sector. The two noted that the average citizen still has too little information and is not sufficiently involved in discussions about oil and gas. “There is a big gap in awareness. A large portion of the population needs to know more,” said Soediredjo.
Lemmer emphasized that many Surinamese need to realize that they are currently not at the level expected internationally. “We must realize that international expectations are very high and that we are currently lagging far behind,” he added.
TotalEnergies seeks partners to deliver local content education program in Suriname | OilNOW
According to him, there must be a clear vision of the direction Suriname wants to take with its oil and gas sector. The Local Content Board has already provided this advice to the government. Lemmer acknowledges that Suriname started too late with preparations for first oil in 2028 and the rapid developments that will follow. “When you step onto the international stage, you must at least meet the minimum international requirements. As Suriname, we need to understand that international companies have high expectations, and we must prepare ourselves well for that. As a country, we are not yet at that level,” said Lemmer.
