Suriname’s national oil company, Staatsolie, is set to showcase the country’s rapidly expanding offshore energy opportunities at the inaugural Caribbean Energy Week 2026 scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 1 in Paramaribo, Suriname.
At the event, Offshore Exploration Manager Sharista Kalapnat-Kisoensingh is expected to highlight the company’s strategic offshore initiatives and outline ongoing efforts to position Suriname as a competitive investment destination in the global oil and gas industry.
Staatsolie has been at the forefront of Suriname’s emerging offshore oil boom. A major milestone was achieved in November 2025 when the company declared the Sloanea field commercially viable, a development widely regarded as evidence of the basin’s growing hydrocarbon potential.
The company has also intensified exploration activities through a seismic survey program conducted in partnership with TGS and BGP Offshore. The program, launched late last year, is generating vital geological data across several offshore blocks and is expected to guide future exploration and investment decisions.
Further strengthening investor confidence, new production-sharing agreements for offshore Blocks 9 and 10 have been secured, drawing increased interest from international energy companies. Analysts say these developments position Staatsolie not only as a producer but also as a key facilitator of Suriname’s broader offshore development strategy.
In addition, the national oil firm launched an Open-Door Offering in late 2025, making about 60 percent of the country’s offshore acreage available for exploration under flexible agreements aimed at attracting new investors.
Staatsolie also holds a 20 percent stake in the $10.5 billion GranMorgu development in Block 58, a major offshore project expected to generate more than $1 billion in local content spending. The development is seen as a critical step in Suriname’s transition from a modest onshore producer to a globally competitive offshore energy player.
Beyond exploration and production, the company is investing in initiatives to strengthen local industry participation. At the conference, Staatsolie will highlight its Enterprise Development Center (EDC), a flagship program designed to prepare Surinamese businesses for opportunities arising from offshore exploration, construction, and supply chain activities.
With upstream operations already contributing about 9.5 percent to Suriname’s gross domestic product and accounting for roughly 32 percent of government revenues, industry stakeholders expect the sector’s economic impact to grow significantly as offshore production expands.
Kisoensingh’s participation at Caribbean Energy Week is expected to provide further insights into how Staatsolie plans to manage Suriname’s offshore growth, enhance private sector involvement, and position the country as an emerging hub in regional energy markets.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
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