Seismic data acquisition has commenced in the shallow offshore waters off the coasts of Saramacca and Coronie, according to Staatsolie, Suriname’s state oil company. This survey is a joint project between Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., the Chinese Bureau of Geophysical Prospecting (BGP Offshore), and the Norwegian/American company Tomlinson Geophysical Services Inc. (TGS).
The seismic survey is being conducted in a shallow offshore area of approximately 2,000 km², with water depths ranging from twenty to fifty meters. Over the course of two months, high-quality seismic data (information about the geology of the seabed) will be collected to map potential oil and gas deposits. This survey is an important step in further exploiting Suriname's offshore oil and gas potential, aligning with the Open-Door Offering that started on November 24, 2025. The Open-Door Offering invites international investors to participate in new exploration and development opportunities in Suriname’s offshore areas. These initiatives are in line with Staatsolie's vision to position Suriname as an attractive and competitive destination for international investors.
The project is being executed by BGP Offshore and TGS. These two international companies have extensive experience in seismic research and have previously carried out successful projects in Suriname. The ship BGP Prospector will be used for this research. The vessel will tow eight streamers, each six kilometers long, at a depth of nine meters. Streamers are long cables that record the reflection of sound waves from the subsurface beneath the seabed. Since this limits the ship's maneuverability, it is accompanied by support vessels to ensure that fishing boats and commercial ships keep a safe distance.
The research is being conducted under a multi-client agreement. This allows the consortium to collect and sell the data to third parties. Staatsolie owns the data, can use it for its own exploration activities, and receives a share of the proceeds from its sale. This model provides access to high-quality data without bearing the full costs.
The project is being carried out in accordance with the National Environmental Authority's (NMA) guidelines. The MMMP, which was approved by the NMA, guarantees that the research will be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. From August to October of this year, stakeholders, including Coronie and Saramacca residents and fishermen, were informed and consulted regarding the composition of the MMMP, and their feedback was incorporated into the final plan.