Petronas Expands Suriname Gas Discovery Beyond 1 Billion Barrels

PETRONAS has announced a new gas discovery in offshore Block 52 in Suriname, reinforcing the country’s growing status as a key energy hotspot in South America.
The latest find was revealed by Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons during an energy conference, where she highlighted its potential to support multiple future oil and gas developments.
This discovery marks another milestone for PETRONAS, which continues to build momentum in the block. The company is expected to take a final investment decision later this year on the commercial development of its Sloanea gas discovery, a project seen as central to its regional strategy.
According to Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab, Executive Vice President and CEO of Upstream at PETRONAS, the company has now achieved eight successful discoveries in Block 52. These findings collectively represent more than one billion barrels of oil equivalent, underscoring the block’s significant resource potential.
He also noted that Block 52 lies within the highly promising “Golden Lane” corridor, an area increasingly attracting attention from major global energy players due to its exploration success rates.
The development comes as Suriname looks to replicate the rapid offshore growth of neighboring Guyana, which has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers in recent years.
The country’s first offshore production project, led by TotalEnergies, is scheduled to come online in 2028, marking a major step forward for its energy sector.
Meanwhile, state-owned Staatsolie is advancing an open licensing round covering more than 70,000 square kilometers across five offshore zones, aiming to draw further international investment.
Energy Minister Patrick Brunings emphasized that continued exploration could unlock broader economic benefits, including opportunities in petrochemicals, bauxite processing, and the development of natural gas exports.
With growing resource volumes and increased investor interest, Suriname is steadily positioning itself as a future player in the global energy market.