As Suriname’s landmark GranMorgu offshore oil development moves into a new, tangible phase, national leaders and project partners are sounding a clear warning: oil reserves alone will not deliver widespread prosperity to the South American nation. To capture long-term, inclusive benefits from the emerging oil and gas sector, the country must prioritize immediate investments in education, vocational training, and core infrastructure, officials emphasized during recent site visits and stakeholder meetings.
Suriname President Jennifer Simons outlined this priority during a September 19 tour of Kuldipsingh Port Facilities, where critical infrastructure and equipment for the GranMorgu project are currently staged. Ahead of her site visit, Simons hosted a senior delegation from project lead TotalEnergies at her office, underscoring the national government’s close alignment with the project’s development timeline.
“Oil discovery does not put money in people’s pockets automatically,” Simons told reporters during the tour. “If you do not pursue education or learn a skilled trade, you will not be able to access the opportunities this sector brings. You have to bring the right capabilities to the table.” The president specifically highlighted the urgency of preparing young Surinamese workers for a coming surge in demand for technically and practically skilled labor as the project ramps up toward production.
Walking through the port, Simons inspected specialized equipment being prepped for offshore deployment, and said the physical presence of the infrastructure has made the years-long project finally feel tangible. “We have heard about this project for years, but being here to see the progress with my own eyes changes everything,” she said. “The equipment has arrived, it is on site, and it is clear this project is finally off the ground. There is no turning back now.”
Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of French energy major TotalEnergies, confirmed during the meetings that the $12 billion GranMorgu project remains on track to launch commercial oil production in 2028. Half of the project’s total capital investment – roughly $6 billion – has already been deployed, bringing the project to the 50% completion milestone. Pouyanné emphasized that economic benefits for Suriname are already flowing, rather than being delayed until the first barrel of oil is extracted.
“Our work to build local capabilities and contribute to national prosperity does not have to wait until 2028,” Pouyanné said. “That work is already underway, delivering tangible results today.” The energy giant is continuing to invest in exploratory drilling across Suriname’s offshore basin, he added, with new discoveries potentially extending the lifespan of offshore operations and unlocking additional development opportunities for the country.
Suriname’s Minister of Oil, Gas and the Environment Patrick Brunings called the progress at the port facility “very impressive” and expressed full confidence that the 2028 production target will be met. Annand Jagesar, CEO of state-owned oil firm Staatsolie, echoed the government’s focus on inclusive growth, noting that the GranMorgu project should deliver far more than just oil extraction.
“This project must also create tangible opportunities for local Surinamese businesses and host communities,” Jagesar said. Targeted investments in local knowledge, skills training, and small and medium enterprise development will ensure that a larger share of economic activity generated by the offshore industry stays within Suriname, supporting broad-based growth rather than isolated gains.
President Simons echoed this priority, noting that the accelerating progress of GranMorgu makes preparedness more critical than ever. As the development of Suriname’s oil sector becomes increasingly concrete, the country must ensure its own people hold the knowledge and skills needed to turn the sector’s potential into tangible, shared prosperity for all Surinamese, she said.