Oil and gas in Suriname: the sector for business
Suriname is becoming an oil producer. Staatsolie has produced onshore for forty years, but with the GranMorgu project in Block 58 the first offshore oil arrives from mid-2028, up to 220,000 barrels a day. Petronas is preparing gas in Block 52 and a row of oil companies is still exploring. For Surinamese businesses the opportunity is not the oil itself but everything the sector needs: supplies, people, services and an economy that changes with the oil money. This page gives the state of play and the way into every guide.
- GranMorgu (Block 58): TotalEnergies 40% (operator), APA 40%, Staatsolie 20%. Investment USD 10.5 billion at the 2024 decision; in 2026 sources cite USD 12 to 12.2 billion. Production drilling from december 2026.
- Block 52: Petronas has declared the Sloanea gas field commercial and is working on a floating LNG plant; first gas in 2030 at the earliest.
- Spent locally in 2025: USD 367 million by the whole sector, with 731 new suppliers registered.
- Rules: no Local Content Act yet (planned for parliament in 2027). The Petroleum Act and the contracts with the oil companies govern local purchasing and local staff for now.
- Oil money: the Savings and Stabilisation Fund is to be working before 2028. The IMF expects a growth jump of about 30% around 2028.
Everything on oil and gas at Suriname Business
Where the sector stands
| Part | Status October 2026 | For business |
|---|---|---|
| Onshore production | Staatsolie, Saramacca: 6.35 million barrels in 2025 (about 17,400 a day), refinery at Tout Lui Faut, own power plants | Ongoing purchasing through Ariba and EOIs: maintenance, transport, construction, services |
| GranMorgu, Block 58 | In execution, 43% complete, drilling from december 2026, first oil mid-2028 | Ports, storage, marine services, catering, staff; then twenty years of maintenance and supply |
| Block 52, gas | Sloanea declared commercial (November 2025); development plan and investment decision in preparation | A second large project if the decision is taken: construction around 2027 to 2030 |
| Exploration | Chevron, Petronas, TotalEnergies, Shell, QatarEnergy and PetroChina in shallow and deep water; new wells in Block 58 in 2027 and 2028 | Short, intense campaigns: logistics, supply, seismic, catering |
| Open-Door Offering | Five proposals since June 2026; Sector 1 window closes 21 December 2026 | More operators means more buyers |
| Local content | No law yet; the Local Content Board is drafting a bill for parliament in 2027 | Document now that your business is Surinamese: ownership, staff, where the value is added |
| Oil money | Savings and Stabilisation Fund set up by law, not yet operational; the law is being amended again | Plan for a stronger economy, dearer labour and rent, and exchange-rate risk |
Opportunities by type of business
| Business | What the sector buys | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics, port and customs | Storage, loading and unloading, clearance, moving material to the quay | Safety system, insurance, experience with project cargo |
| Marine | Supply vessels, crew transfer, towage, ship maintenance | Vessels and crews to international standards (STCW) |
| Catering and facilities | Meals for bases and vessels, cleaning, laundry, camps | Food safety (ISO 22000 or HACCP), audit by the operator |
| Engineering and workshops | Welding, fabrication, maintenance of pumps and engines, electrical work | Certified welders, calibrated tools, a quality system |
| Inspection and testing | NDT, lifting equipment inspection, calibration, laboratory | International certification of staff (ISO 9712) |
| Waste and environment | Oily waste, chemical waste, environmental monitoring, studies | NMA permits, treatment by the rules |
| Security and transport | Guarding bases, staff transport, fleets | Screened staff, road safety, driving hours |
| Professional services | Legal, tax, accounting, HR, translation, IT, temporary staff | Knowledge of the sector and of international clients |
| Housing and stays | Hotels, apartments for foreign specialists, meeting rooms | Quality, security, long-term contracts |
| Training | Safety training, trade training, English, driving courses | Accreditation (for example OPITO) and experienced trainers |
Start with Become an oil and gas supplier and take the Oil and gas supplier check.
Dates to watch
| When | What |
|---|---|
| December 2026 | GranMorgu: first production wells drilled (OGM minister; TotalEnergies says early 2027) |
| 21 December 2026 | Open-Door Offering: window for competing proposals for Sector 1 (SHO West) closes at 10:00 |
| 2026 or 2027 | Block 52 (Petronas): investment decision on gas and a floating LNG plant expected |
| 2027 | Local Content bill to the National Assembly (Local Content Board) |
| 2027 and 2028 | Four new exploration wells in Block 58 (TotalEnergies) |
| November 2027 | Open-Door Offering ends (two years from 24 November 2025) |
| Before 2028 | Savings and Stabilisation Fund operational before the first oil revenue (government) |
| 2028 | GranMorgu: first oil, mid-2028 according to Staatsolie |
| 2030 | Block 52: first gas at the earliest |
Sources
- TotalEnergies: final investment decision GranMorgu
- Staatsolie: 2025 financial statements approved
- Staatsolie Sustainability Report 2025
- Staatsolie: opportunities for local suppliers
- Suriname Herald: GranMorgu 43 procent, eerste boringen in december (22 October 2026)
- GFC Nieuws: Gran Morgu voor 43 procent uitgevoerd (23 October 2026)
- Staatsolie: Sloanea-1 commercial field, Block 52
- Ocean Energy Resources: fifth Open-Door proposal (23 September 2026)
- Waterkant: President on the Savings and Stabilisation Fund (5 October 2026)
- IMF: Suriname 2025 Article IV (February 2026)
Checked on 26 October 2026. Brent, the pump price, requests and news update every 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
When does Suriname start offshore oil production?
The GranMorgu project in Block 58 is due to produce first oil in 2028; Staatsolie says mid-2028. In October 2026 the project was 43% complete according to the Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment, and production drilling starts in December 2026.
Who are the main players in Suriname's oil and gas sector?
Staatsolie (state company, produces onshore and holds 20% of GranMorgu), TotalEnergies (GranMorgu operator), APA Corporation, Petronas (Block 52 and other blocks), Chevron, Shell, QatarEnergy and PetroChina. GranMorgu's main contractors are SBM Offshore, TechnipFMC, Saipem and Halliburton.
How can my business earn from oil and gas?
Mostly as a supplier: logistics and port services, storage, transport, catering, security, maintenance, inspection, waste handling, staffing and professional services. Register in the SSRP portal, get your HSE and books in order and respond to the expressions of interest (EOI) from Staatsolie and the main contractors.
Does Suriname have a Local Content Act yet?
No. A Local Content Board is drafting a law that is due to go to the National Assembly in 2027. Until then the Petroleum Act and the production sharing contracts with the oil companies apply.
How much oil does Suriname produce now?
Only Staatsolie produces, onshore in Saramacca: 6.35 million barrels in 2025, about 17,400 barrels a day. GranMorgu can produce up to 220,000 barrels a day from 2028.
Will fuel get cheaper once Suriname produces oil?
Not by itself. GranMorgu's oil is sold at sea on the world market and is not refined in Suriname. The pump price will keep following the world price and the dollar rate; since March 2026 a government price cap has held the price down.