By Marcel, Chin-A-Lien, Petroleum & Energy Advisor, Published on May 27, 2025

Block 58, located offshore Suriname in the prolific Guyana-Suriname Basin, has emerged as one of the most significant new frontiers in global deepwater oil exploration.

Operated by TotalEnergies (50%, operator) and APA Corporation (50%), the block has delivered a sequence of discoveries since 2020 that has reshaped Suriname’s energy outlook.

🔍 Key Exploration & Appraisal Wells

• Maka Central-1 (2020): First discovery; 123m net pay in Campanian & Santonian sands. Light oil and condensate.
• Sapakara West-1 (2020): 79m net hydrocarbon pay; stacked Campanian and Santonian reservoirs.
• Kwaskwasi-1 (2020): Confirmed a high-quality petroleum system; large net pay.
• Keskesi East-1 (2021): 63m net oil and gas-condensate pay in Campano-Maastrichtian sands.
• Sapakara South-1 (2021): 30m of net light oil pay in Maastrichtian sands.
• Bonboni-1 (2021): Dry hole; tested the northern fairway’s limits.
• Krabdagu-1 (2022): 90m of net oil pay in Campanian and Maastrichtian sands. Note, “ Kraborlgu ” on the map should be Krabdagu-1.
• Keskesi South-1: Appraisal well; limited public data available.
• Sapakara South-2: Appraisal and flow test well drilled in 2022–2023.
• Dikkop-1 & Awari-1: Results not disclosed; believed inconclusive or marginal.

🚢 Suriname’s Offshore Oil Development: A Turning Point

Following the success of its exploration campaign, TotalEnergies and APA reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) in October 2024 for the development of the Sapakara and Krabdagu oilfields under the GranMorgu Project.

• FID Date: 1 October 2024
• Project Name: GranMorgu (Jaguar FPSO)
• Production Capacity: 200,000 barrels/day via FPSO
• Well Count: ~32 production and injection wells
• First Oil: H1 2028
• Total Capex: $10.5 – 12.5 billion
• Staatsolie: Acquired 20% interest

This project positions Suriname as a future deepwater oil producer with strategic significance in the Western Hemisphere, drawing on the success of neighboring Guyana’s Stabroek Block.

📚 Key References

• Reuters – $10 billion investment signed (30 Sept 2024)
• Reuters – FID confirmed by TotalEnergies & APA (1 Oct 2024)
• Reuters – Decision anticipated in Q4 (5 Jun 2024)

For industry insights, well comparisons, and regional analysis of Suriname’s offshore oil, follow our updates on LinkedIn and explore our technical essays at OGT Geoscience & Energy.

On myself?

🌍 

Marcel Chin-A-Lien — Your All-in-One Trusted Petroleum & Energy Advisor

Strategic. Transformative. Globally Proven.

With 48 years of hands-on petroleum and energy leadership, Marcel Chin-A-Lien is not just an advisor — he is a catalyst for billion-dollar transformations across exploration, development, and dealmaking on five continents.

From giant field discoveries in frontier basins to iconic M&A and PSC frameworks, and from leading the first capitalist oil ventures in post-Soviet Russia to shaping long-term, cash-generating offshore portfolios in the Dutch North Sea — Marcel delivers what few others can:

Vision backed by deep scientific knowledge. Strategy empowered by commercial fluency. Execution driven by global insight.

🧠 A Multidisciplinary, Results-Oriented Mind

With four post-graduate petroleum degrees fusing geology, engineering, commercial strategy, and management, Marcel provides integrated advisory services that blend deep technical due diligence with boardroom-savvy strategy. His fluency in seven languages and cross-cultural track record give him a rare edge across international negotiations, fiscal regimes, and high-stakes commercial discussions.

💼 Proven Track Record of High-Impact Deliverables:

• ✅ Multi-billion-barrel discoveries in underexplored deepwater frontiers
• ✅ PSC and bid round design expertise that attracts long-term investment
• ✅ Exploration-to-production roadmaps that unlock generational wealth
• ✅ Advisory on NOC-to-IOC transitions, IPO readiness, and sustainable expansion
• ✅ Board-level insights on energy diplomacy, contract negotiations, and portfolio optimization

🏅 Internationally Certified & Recognized:

• Certified Petroleum Geologist #5201 – AAPG (Gold Standard)
• Chartered European Geologist #92 – EFG (Gold Standard)
• Executive MBA International Business (Petroleum, M&A)
• MSc International Management (Petroleum)
• Awarded “2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century” – Cambridge, UK
• Double Gold Award – GDF-Suez Paris for “Innovative New Business Projects”
• AIEN Energy Negotiator – Global contract & fiscal regime authority

💬 Public Profile & Contact

📎 LinkedIn: https://nl.linkedin.com/pub/marcel-chin-a-lien/9/a73/547/

📧 Email: marcelchinalien@gmail.com

📈 Available for Select Strategic Engagements:

Marcel offers bespoke advisory services to:

• Oil companies scaling frontier exploration portfolios
• NOCs seeking internationalization, IPO preparation, or IOC transformation
• Institutional investors analyzing upstream energy deals
• Governments designing petroleum policy, licensing rounds, and energy diplomacy
• M&A teams needing high-trust, high-level due diligence from seismic to signature

When it’s about exploration and business insight, backed by real-world, cash-flow proven results — Marcel Chin-A-Lien is the advisor you want in the room.