Havenbeheer, have joined forces to build a mega deep-water port and special economic zone – Port of Nickerie – in Suriname, with an expected investment of approximately USD 5.4 billion. With several oil discoveries made off the coast of Suriname, the two companies are positioning themselves to reap the expected benefits. Director Stephen Joslyn, explained that the multi-faceted project will be spread over 3,707 acres of land in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname.
Joslyn announced further that the project would include onshore facilities to support an offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, pending gas production in Suriname. Joslyn explained that they will power it from land, also they have already purchased a Seaman’s gas-fired power plant, with a capacity of 420 megawatts. They will serve Baker Hughes technology and the technology is modular so they can build and expand capacity as more gas becomes available. The megaport will feature an oil jetty with berths spread over 140 meters, a 6.6 hectares onshore facility and a multi-purpose terminal.
Joslyn adds that it is positioned in the center of the Guyana-Suriname basin and will ideally serve all Atlantic markets and have infrastructure for the sustainable development of world-class facilities to boost not only oil and gas, but also trade, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. . The idea is to add value to all products in the region and create a cost-effective export route.
The port is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs for the local population in Suriname and that number is expected to increase as the port grows. A concrete start-up has not yet been completed, because the companies are waiting for notification about the availability of the gas offshore. Once received, the facility is expected to be operational within two years.
Joslyn noted that they have a modular design, they can act so quickly and get the facility up and running. The planned port for Suriname shows similarities with another one being built in neighboring Guyana – the port of Vreed en Hoop. It will also have a coastal base, economic zone and dry dock area to serve Guyana’s oil sector.
Suriname has made six successful oil discoveries offshore, so far. There are five in Block 58 and one in Block 53. The blocks are managed by Total Energies and APA Corporation respectively. Total Energies is expected to comment on a final investment decision per year for the development of the resources in Block 58.
