Petronas Suriname E&P, in tandem with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Suriname have announced an oil discovery in Block 52 offshore Suriname.
The Roystonea-1 well, located about 185 kilometers offshore in a water depth of 904 meters, was drilled to a total depth of 5,315 meters. Petronas said the well encountered several oil-bearing Campanian sandstone reservoir packages and further evaluation is being undertaken to determine the extent of the discovery and its potential development synergy with the Sloanea-1 discovery made in 2020 within the same block.
Mohd Redhani Abdul Rahman, Petronas Vice President of Exploration, commented: “The success of Roystonea-1 is expected to drive further exploration for commercially viable hydrocarbon resources in the surrounding areas. Petronas will continue to work closely with the host authority, Staatsolie, and partners to unlock Suriname’s hydrocarbon potential. We look forward to implementing safe and successful future exploration programs together.”
Petronas said the discovery was a result of ongoing efforts to ensuring energy security to meet the growing global energy demands. Block 52 covers an area of 4,749km²and is located within the prospective Suriname-Guyana basin, approximately 75 miles offshore north of Paramaribo the capital of Suriname.
Water depths range from 160 to 3,600 feet (50 to 1,100 meters). Petronas Suriname E&P is operator with a 50% stake with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production holding the remaining 50% interest. Noble Corporation’s Noble Discoverer semi-submersible rig was hired on a one-well contract in July 2023 to drill an exploration well in Block 52. Drilling activities were initially flagged for August 2023. The deal has a one-well extension option.
Datuk Adif Zulkifli, Petronas Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Upstream, said: “Petronas views the Roystonea-1 oil discovery as a positive development towards realizing our differentiated barrel strategy for international upstream ventures, focusing on a material discovery with minimal contaminants.” Petronas Suriname E&P also operates Block 48 with 100% participating interest and is a partner with a 30% non-operating participating interest in the adjacent Block 53, where the Baja-1 oil discovery was made in 2022
