The Surinamese government has received a draft environmental and social impact assessment from Petronas for drilling offshore Block 52. According to data provided to the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS) by the Malaysian energy business, the proposed campaign includes three exploration wells and three assessment wells.
There are already two known wells: Sloanea-2 and Roystonea-1 (exploration, 800 meters below the surface of the lake) (assessment, water depth 635 m). Each well needs 70–120 days to be finished.
The area has been designated as having exploration wells for the work program for this year, according to an earlier announcement by Suriname’s state oil company. Nimos will take feedback on the draft document into account until the first of March.
Block 52, which spans 2,500 km2, has a 50% operational interest owned by Petronas and a 50% operating interest owned by ExxonMobil. Petronas successfully completed the Baja-1 well drilling on the neighboring Block 53. In Block 53, which is owned by APA Suriname Corp LDC, which holds a 45% stake, and CEPSA Suriname, SL, which holds the remaining 25%, Petronas has a 30% stake.
A value well in nearby Block 58 was successfully drilled and put through a flow test, according to APA.
