(Upstream)- Malaysian state-controlled oil company Petronas has made two new discoveries and achieved a successful appraisal in Block 52 offshore Suriname, collectively unlocking recoverable resources of more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
The information was partially disclosed last week by Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons at an oil and gas conference in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Petronas has recently concluded a three-well campaign in Block 52 as it prepares to make a final investment decision later this year to sanction the Sloanea-1 find via an integrated development using a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) solution.
According to Petronas, the Caiman-1 exploration well, drilled in 90 metres of water to a total depth of 5065 metres, encountered multiple oil-bearing Cretaceous sandstone intervals.
The Swartzia Aspasia Complex-1 (SAC-1) wildcat, located eight kilometres east of Sloanea-1, intersected gas-bearing sandstone reservoirs.
The prospect was drilled at water depths of 610 metres to a final depth of 4560 metres. A drillstem test demonstrated strong gas deliverability, indicating good reservoir quality.
Meanwhile, the Roystonea-2 appraisal well confirmed the lateral equivalent of oil-bearing reservoirs, with tests indicating strong productivity.
Petronas has so far drilled a total of eight wells in Block 52 with a 100% success rate. These included Roselle-1, Sloanea-1, Roystonea-1, Fusaea-1, Sloanea-2, Caiman-1, Swartzia Aspasia Complex-1 and Roystonea-2.
“Eight successful wells in Suriname with recoverable resources of more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent unlocked reflect the strength of our technical capabilities, disciplined execution and strong partnership in Suriname,” said Petronas chief operating officer Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab.
Petronas operates Block 52 with an 80% stake and is partnered by Suriname’s state-owned oil company and market regulator Staatsolie with 20%.
In addition to Block 52, Petronas holds working interests in seven other tracts offshore Suriname – blocks 9, 10, 48, 53, 63, 64 and 66.
