By Marcel Chin-A-Lien – Petroleum & Energy Advisor – June 3, 2025

History in the world of energy is rarely made in silence.

History in motion.

Fast backwards to June 2015.

Apache?

In a super great rush, like Max Verstappen in his RB21, entered Block 58, offshore Suriname.

Most probably enlightened and awakened by the loud and triumphantly ringing bells that announced the Liza-1 discovery on 15th May 2015.

Just 4 years later, in late 2019, Apache’s Maka Central-1 (Maka-1) well struck oil in Block 58 offshore Suriname, confirming it did more than confirm hydrocarbons in a new political and legal frontier.

It echoed the roaring march of geology across borders and the revival of a now already historic petroleum corridor:

The Golden Lane, or GSGL, The Guyana Suriname Golden Lane, as I coined it myself in 2008.

A Golden Extension: From Guyana to Suriname

The Maka-1 discovery was not merely a lucky strike.

It confirmed what geology had long whispered: that the same prolific petroleum system energizing Guyana’s world-class Stabroek Block did not end at an imaginary maritime line.

It extended, powerfully and richly, into Suriname’s deepwater, drawing a golden ribbon beneath the seafloor: the long-anticipated continuation of the Golden Lane petroleum trend.

It was a moment I had personally dearly hoped for, foreseen and followed with sharp anticipation.

Since 2008, I have tracked the tectonic, stratigraphic, and geoscientific developments of the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

To be able to follow an entire petroleum province from pre-birth, through seismic whispers and frontier drilling, to full discovery and development is a rare privilege in any advisor’s and geoscientist’s career.

Especially if it is in the dear country, where also part of my extensive roots are located.

The Significance of Block 58

Apache’s Block 58, comprising over 1.4 million acres, was always a high-impact target.

With more than 50 significant prospects mapped and 3D seismic surveys processed, the basin was poised to deliver. Maka-1, drilled with the Noble Sam Croft, proved it. It is not just one well, it is the spark that ignited exploration confidence in Suriname’s offshore potential.

The region now stands in direct geological continuation with ExxonMobil’s legendary discoveries in Guyana, such as Liza, Payara, and Yellowtail, which had then in Q3 of 2019, already yielded over 6 billion barrels of recoverable resources.

Block 58 definitely marks the beginning of Suriname’s own chapter in that success story, as I then wrote on my previous website:

The Switi Sranan Petroleum Boom has been ignited?

I wish to mention the following.

As a tribute to my good old and very dear friend, colleague, since 1977, unfortunately in Heaven since september 2024.

Certainly the person and geologist that is the absolute king and ever geo-champion as he has delivered a giant contribution to the geological science and knowledge of Suriname: prof.dr. Theo Wong R.I.P.

I had a close and ever friendly personal contact with him throughout the years since 1977.

We have constantly been discussing with musings such as about the possibilities of finding petroleum in the offshore area, as well as about finding another Tambaredjo look-alike giant field, onshore.

I may share part of our iconic WhatApp conversation, 7th January 2020.

After I read about the Maka-1 historical discovery publication I immediately congratulated him with:

“ Fersteri, Olie gevonden in BL58 Suriname, accompanied by two bottles of champagne “.

“ Aai boi ! Eindelijk ! Accompanied by 4 glasses with champagne, he answered me soon after, the very same day…

Later, discussing about the probable size of the discovery, why and how, I suggested to him:

…Giant

A Frontier No More

The success of Maka-1 has reshaped how the industry views Suriname. What was once frontier acreage is now firmly on the map of global deepwater petroleum provinces. The trend is real, the basin is proven, and the petroleum system is working — consistently, richly, and across borders.

This is the historical pivot — the moment where Suriname steps into the energy spotlight, not as a hopeful frontier, but as an emerging partner in a truly hemispheric oil boom. It is the eastern crest of a geologic wave that began in Guyana — a wave I have watched build since the earliest speculations of basin symmetry and source maturity in 2008.

Conclusion: A Transformational Moment

With Maka-1, the Golden Lane has extended into Suriname.

This is more than an energy discovery.

It is a transformation.

And we are fortunate to witness, in real-time, the unfolding of what will surely be remembered as one of the 21st century’s most significant petroleum chapters.

Let the world take note:

Suriname is no longer waiting on discovery. It is defining it.

About 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 seamlessly fusing, hands-on and bottom-up, geology, engineering, geosciences, commercial and policy strategy, with efficient 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.