Petronas makes oil discovery off Suriname

PARAMARIBO, November 2, 2023 – Malaysia’s Petronas has made an oil discovery in Suriname’s offshore Block 52, the company announced on Thursday.

The discovery was made at the Roystonea-1 exploration well, located about 185 kilometers offshore in water depths of 904 metres and drilled to 5,315 metres. The company said it encountered several oil-bearing sand layers and was working to evaluate the reservoir’s potential.

“The success of Roystonea-1 is expected to drive further exploration for commercially viable hydrocarbon resources in the surrounding areas,” Mohd Redhani Abdul Rahman, Petronas’ vice-president of exploration, said.

The discovery follows a 2020 find in the 4,749-square-kilometre Block 52 at the Sloanea-1 well.

Block 52 is operated by Petronas Suriname E&P with a 50% share, working alongside partner ExxonMobil, which also holds 50%.

State energy firm Staatsolie welcomed the news from Petronas, saying the find further proved the potential of the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

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