Fossil Energy – Suriname
According to Wood Mackenzie, Suriname is set to surpass Guyana in exploration and appraisal drilling activity in 2025.
“In 2025, for the first time since the Liza discovery, WoodMac expects to see more exploration and appraisal wells drilled in Suriname than in Guyana,” the report outlined.
Operators – Petronas, Chevron, Shell, and TotalEnergies – are gearing up for campaigns in 2025. “WoodMac hasn’t seen that many active operators in Guyana and Suriname since 2022,” the report continued.
The report attributes Suriname’s rising activity to policy efforts. It says that in the past five years, Suriname’s effective licensing policy of new acreage since 2020 will pay dividends.
“Activity in 2025 will be in stark contrast with a quiet 2024, when only ExxonMobil and Petronas spudded exploration wells.” Petronas’ Fusaea in Suriname was the lone large oil discovery that year.
ExxonMobil drilled eight successful exploration and appraisal wells in the Stabroek Block in 2024, according to Hess’s latest annual report. All eight wells “encountered hydrocarbons”, Hess said. There was “one unsuccessful exploration well for which the well costs were expensed”.
Three wells are being drilled this year by the Stena Carron.
