Suriname's Offshore Oil & Gas: From First Dashboard Concept to a Live GeoPortal
How Suriname's offshore oil and gas story has evolved — from the first concept dashboard to a full live GeoPortal built on ArcGIS Hub and Experience Builder.
GEOSPATIALGISDIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Krieshen Ramkhelawan
6/26/20261 min read
In May 2024, I built the first concept dashboard of Suriname's offshore oil and gas blocks — an ArcGIS Dashboard mapping every block, operator, and estimated resource. Two years later, that concept has evolved into a live national GeoPortal on ArcGIS Hub — with seismic data, wells, blocks, and lease data available interactively.
What the map shows today
Suriname stands at the threshold of a transformative era. Industry analysis points to offshore resources of more than 2.4 billion barrels of oil and around 12.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas — close to 4.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with gas making up nearly half.
From estimates to a sanctioned project
The story accelerated in October 2024, when TotalEnergies and APA took the Final Investment Decision on GranMorgu, Suriname's first deepwater development on Block 58. The project develops the Sapakara and Krabdagu discoveries — over 750 million barrels of recoverable reserves — with a 220,000 barrels-per-day FPSO, an estimated $10.5 billion investment, and first oil expected in 2028. Staatsolie exercised its right to a 20% participation. Momentum continues in Block 52, where Petronas and ExxonMobil have logged a string of discoveries, with a development decision anticipated before the end of 2026.
Why it matters for every Surinamer
Government take from Block 58 alone is estimated between $16 and $26 billion over the project's life — income for public services, infrastructure, and community development. Realising this sustainably will depend on environmental responsibility, economic diversification, and investment in education and the local workforce. And with only a portion of offshore blocks licensed, substantial acreage remains open.
See it for yourself
That's why this data belongs on a map, not in a PDF. For the live, interactive view of every offshore block, explore the GeoPortal.
Sources: TotalEnergies, Staatsolie, SBM Offshore, Rystad Energy