New Gas Discovery in Block 52 Announced During SEOGS 2026 Opening
With the announcement of a new discovery in Block 52 by Petronas, the sixth edition of the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit (SEOGS) has officially kicked off. President Jennifer Simons announced the news during her keynote address at the opening of the largest energy conference and exhibition in the Caribbean. The event runs through Friday and brings together representatives from international energy companies, investors, policymakers, and experts from the energy sector to discuss the future of the Surinamese oil and gas industry. Early in the morning, exhibitors were still busy with the final preparations for their stands and presentations. Around noon, the official opening ceremony took place, during which President Simons symbolically cut the ribbon.
The unique aspect of this edition is that it is taking place in the run-up to the planned first oil production in 2028. Significant steps still need to be taken in the coming years to achieve that goal. This therefore formed the common thread in the speeches of the various speakers, including the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment, the Director of Staatsolie, and other representatives from the sector. It was emphasized that the development of the Surinamese economy must be central.
In a packed hall, President Simons announced that Petronas had informed her earlier that morning about a new discovery in Block 52. Petronas is working on the development of natural gas off the coast of Suriname based on the Sloanea discovery. In November, Staatsolie announced that it had approved the commercial exploitation of the Sloanea-1 gas field, a significant step in the further development of the project.
The President also encouraged Surinamese youth to seize the opportunities offered by oil and gas developments. “Not everyone will work on a drilling platform, but there will be sufficient work. Therefore, young people must make use of the opportunities that present themselves.”
In addition, the head of state announced plans for the establishment of a strategic project management team. This team must develop a roadmap for policy and legislation leading up to the first oil production. The government, the business community, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders will be involved in this process.
According to Minister Patrick Brunings of Oil, Gas and Environment, not only is oil becoming increasingly important, but the strategic value of gas is also increasing. “Many countries around the world are looking for a reliable and sustainable gas supply. Suriname can capitalize on this.” He expressed the expectation that the development of the Surinamese gas sector will be discussed extensively during SEOGS.
Charles Cooper also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in his speech. According to him, Curaçao is eager to support Suriname in the development of the oil and gas sector. The island should be viewed as a partner in this regard, not as a competitor. According to Cooper, these developments are important not only for Suriname but for the entire region.
After the official opening, President Simons visited various stands of Surinamese and foreign companies participating in the fair. This gave her a first impression of the latest developments, services, and investment opportunities being presented during SEOGS 2026. The event is organized by Staatsolie.