Carib Scope

标签： Suriname

苏里南

  • Naar een betrouwbare energievoorziening voor Suriname

    Naar een betrouwbare energievoorziening voor Suriname

    Suriname is facing a rapidly expanding electricity demand that outpaces earlier projections, particularly across its EPAR grid which supplies over 80% of the nation’s total power consumption. With positive economic outlooks and projected industrial expansion on the horizon, energy officials and independent experts warn that both peak power demand and total annual energy consumption will continue to climb steadily in the coming decades. Recent recurring power deficits and inadequate reserve capacity have already forced widespread rolling blackouts across the country, making it clear that urgent investment in new power generation capacity can no longer be delayed.

    In response to this pressing national energy challenge, a team of senior energy specialists with deep expertise in Suriname’s unique energy landscape has developed an initial conceptual proposal for a phased construction of a modern power facility, planned for the former Bruynzeel site in Beekhuizen. The plan retains full flexibility: if further feasibility assessments covering spatial integration, environmental impact, logistics, flood risk and grid connection rule out the Beekhuizen location, the same modular design can be deployed at an alternative site across the country.

    At the core of the proposal is a system of modular RICE (Residual Oil Diesel Engine) generation units, each with an output capacity of roughly 20 megawatts (MW). The modular design allows the plant to be expanded incrementally in line with growing demand, with a maximum potential total capacity of up to 300MW. Final determination of the optimal total capacity, balanced for both technical and economic performance, will be completed following a detailed demand forecast and full feasibility study. Critically, the plan also allows for future conversion of the plant’s engines from liquid fuel to domestically sourced natural gas, pending further research into gas availability, composition, supply security and the development of required pipeline infrastructure.

    The proposed plant will be connected to a new high-voltage substation equipped with custom transformers and switching equipment. Final voltage level selection, with options including 161 kV, 110 kV, 33 kV and 12 kV, will be determined based on detailed load flow, short circuit, grid stability and reliability analyses, aligned with long-term planned upgrades to the EPAR grid.

    The project also incorporates a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) linked directly to the plant, designed to enable rapid frequency regulation, absorb sudden power fluctuations, provide backup support during generation unit outages, and speed up grid restoration after disruptions. The BESS system will reduce the need for costly spinning reserve capacity from the RICE units, allowing the generation facilities to operate at far higher efficiency. A separate systems analysis will finalize the required power output and storage capacity for the BESS, which will also be able to support future large-scale solar photovoltaic generation by smoothing out rapid fluctuations in solar power output. For liquid fuel supply under the initial design, transportation via the Suriname River is planned.

    Preliminary cost estimates for the first phase of construction sit at approximately $150 million USD. Project planners emphasize that this is an initial conceptual figure, which will be refined and validated during the feasibility study and detailed engineering phases. Future expansion phases will be implemented incrementally, aligned with actual demand growth and evolution of Suriname’s national energy system.

    To account for uncertainty around future demand growth, the expert team modeled four distinct demand growth scenarios for the EPAR grid between 2025 and 2040, starting from a 2025 baseline peak demand of 285 MW. Under a 2% annual growth scenario, peak demand would reach 384 MW by 2040, while a 7% annual growth rate would push peak demand to 786 MW. The base case 3% annual growth scenario projects peak demand of 444 MW by 2040, while a 5% growth scenario puts 2040 peak demand at 592 MW. The proposed incremental expansion to 300 MW of total capacity aligns particularly well with the 5% growth scenario, which sees peak demand rise by roughly 307 MW between 2025 and 2040.

    Planners note that final required generation capacity will depend on more factors than just peak demand growth alone: planners must also account for existing capacity deficits, required reserve margins, scheduled maintenance, unplanned outages, retirement of older generation units, variable output from renewable energy, other planned energy projects, and the capacity contribution from the BESS system. A comprehensive integrated system and feasibility study will be required to finalize the project’s exact scale and construction timeline.

    The proposal calls for NV EBS, the operator of the EPAR grid, to take the lead on advancing the concept to the next phase of development. It urges EBS’s executive board and supervisory board, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and the Office of the President to prioritize this initiative as a critical national infrastructure project. The conceptual plan was developed by Samuel Mehairjan MSc, an electrical power engineering expert with 38 years of experience in the power sector, and Priyel Tedjoe MSc, a power systems specialist with international experience in power system and high-voltage substation development, and is being presented to stakeholders for further development.

  • Simons: Olie alleen garandeert geen welvaart

    Simons: Olie alleen garandeert geen welvaart

    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.

  • Minister Huur pleit voor wettelijke verankering FPIC

    Minister Huur pleit voor wettelijke verankering FPIC

    On September 19, the remote Surinamese community of Marshallkreek in the Brokopondo district gathered to mark the 264th anniversary of Saamaka Daka, a landmark historical observance honoring the 1762 peace treaty between the Saramaccan people and the former Dutch colonial administration. Under this year’s theme “Courage Builds the Future”, regional development minister Miquella Huur used the celebratory occasion to deliver a pivotal call for the formal legal enshrinement of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), framing the move as a critical step to safeguard Indigenous and tribal community rights, cultural heritage, and long-term prosperity for coming generations.

    In her address to assembled community members, Huur reflected on the decades of resistance and unwavering resilience demonstrated by the Saamaka people’s ancestors, whose determination and courage secured the historic peace agreement centuries ago. She emphasized that this legacy places a core responsibility on the current generation to proactively shape a just and sustainable future that can be passed down to children and grandchildren. A key pillar of that responsibility, Huur argued, is the active preservation and celebration of the Saamaka community’s unique cultural identity, ancestral traditions, and core values. She positioned formal legal recognition of FPIC as an essential tool to protect the collective social and political standing of tribal communities across the country.

    FPIC is a globally recognized principle that requires Indigenous and tribal peoples to be consulted in advance, free from coercion, and provided with full, clear information before any policy or development decisions are made that impact their traditional territories, living environments, and collective interests. The principle is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Indigenous rights, ensuring marginalized tribal communities retain autonomy over decisions that shape their way of life.

    Captain Ronny Asabina, community leader of Marshallkreek, echoed Huur’s remarks during the commemoration, noting that Saamaka Daka is far more than an annual ceremonial gathering. He stressed that the date serves as a permanent reminder of the ancestral courage and struggle that ultimately delivered peace and freedom for the Saramaccan people. Asabina called on all members of the Saamaka community to continue nurturing the traditions and intangible cultural heritage passed down from their ancestors, and to prioritize passing these treasures on to future generations.

    True to centuries of custom, the 2025 commemoration opened with a traditional performance on the Apinti drum, followed by a Towe Wata cleansing ceremony, a community service of gratitude, and a Polo Waka cultural procession. In addition to formal addresses, the day’s program included honors for local athletes, musicians, and other community members who have made outstanding contributions to the social and cultural development of the Saamaka and Sakiki communities. Saamaka Daka is observed every year on September 19, marking the exact date of the historic peace agreement that remains a foundational moment in Saramaccan national and cultural identity.

  • De techniek op de zeebodem die straks Surinames olie-economie aandrijft

    De techniek op de zeebodem die straks Surinames olie-economie aandrijft

    On the docks of Suriname’s Kuldipsingh Port Facility, a sprawling collection of massive steel structures, specialized pipelines, reinforced cables, and custom-built components currently sits assembled in plain view — a rare public preview of the technical backbone of Suriname’s landmark GranMorgu offshore oil project, most of which will eventually be hidden thousands of meters below the Atlantic Ocean floor.

    Once fully integrated and installed off Suriname’s coast, this network of subsea equipment will form the core production system that pumps crude oil from deep underwater reservoirs up to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Every piece of the system plays a non-negotiable role: without this specialized infrastructure, not a single drop of oil can reach the surface production vessel.

    Among the most critical components is the 32 Christmas trees manufactured for the project. Despite their festive name, these units are high-precision subsea control systems mounted directly on top of each offshore oil well. Made up of an interconnected array of valves, regulators, and monitoring sensors, Christmas trees regulate, measure, and secure the flow of oil and other reservoir fluids out of the wellbore. Often called the “gatekeeper” of the subsea well, the Christmas tree controls whether, how much, and under what conditions fluids flow into the broader production network. Once installed at depth, the entire system is operated and monitored remotely from the surface FPSO, out of human sight permanently.

    Not every well requires a dedicated pipeline running directly back to the FPSO. Instead, output from multiple wells is consolidated via specialized large-scale subsea manifolds, or distribution hubs. These heavy, extremely robust structures gather production flows from separate wells and route them through the larger subsea pipeline network, operating much like onshore electricity distribution stations — with the key difference that they must function under thousands of meters of crushing water pressure, where routine maintenance is prohibitively complex and costly. This extreme operating environment is why every manifold is built with thick, reinforced steel to withstand decades of harsh subsea conditions.

    From the manifolds, an extensive network of custom-engineered subsea pipelines acts as the “arteries” of the entire production system, connecting wells and distribution hubs to the FPSO. These pipelines are built to withstand a host of extreme stressors: extreme water pressure, wide temperature fluctuations, corrosive saltwater, seabed movement, and constant internal pressure from flowing crude. A failure at depth cannot be fixed quickly or cheaply, so material durability and precision engineering are non-negotiable requirements for every segment of pipe.

    To connect the surface control systems on the FPSO to subsea equipment, the project relies on specialized umbilicals, often referred to as the project’s “umbilical cord to the seabed.” These are bundled cables and hoses that carry electrical power, control signals, hydraulic pressure, and treatment chemicals from the FPSO to subsea valves and sensors. Where pipelines carry oil, umbilicals act as the nervous system of the entire subsea network, enabling remote operation and real-time monitoring of all equipment thousands of meters below the surface.

    A defining feature of the GranMorgu project is the extreme depth where most of its infrastructure will be installed — too deep for human divers to carry out installation, inspection, or maintenance work. Instead, all on-site subsea work will be completed by remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), which is why every component is engineered to extreme precision standards, with specialized subsea connectors designed to enable secure, reliable connections without human intervention. Once installed on the seabed, every piece fits together perfectly to form a single integrated production system.

    Public attention around the GranMorgu project has largely centered on its multi-billion-dollar investment price tag, projected output, expected state revenue for Suriname, and economic opportunities for local businesses and workers. But behind these high-level economic expectations lies a highly complex, engineered supply chain and technical network. A single oil reservoir does not deliver commercial production on its own; it requires an interconnected system of wells, control systems, manifolds, kilometers of pipeline, umbilicals, and subsea connectors to safely bring crude from the seabed to the surface.

    For now, these massive steel components laid out on Suriname’s port docks tell a larger, underreported story: this is the invisible technology that will enable Suriname’s first large-scale offshore oil production, operating deep below the Atlantic Ocean, out of sight for almost all of society.

  • Hoe de Chinese energiestrategie een wereldwijde oliecrisis (voorlopig) voorkwam

    Hoe de Chinese energiestrategie een wereldwijde oliecrisis (voorlopig) voorkwam

    Escalating tensions in the Middle East, sparked by U.S. military action against Iran, have sent shockwaves through global energy markets. While analysts warned of catastrophic price spikes that could push crude oil above $150 per barrel, these doomsday scenarios have yet to materialize — and a surprising actor has emerged as the key stabilizing force: China. Despite ongoing geopolitical friction between Washington and Beijing, strategic policy decisions made under Chinese President Xi Jinping have indirectly supported the U.S. economy by keeping oil price growth in check.

    ### How China Damped Market Volatility: The Unintended Stabilizing Effect
    When the U.S. and Israel launched military operations and Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz — the chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil trade flows — markets braced for immediate acute supply shortages. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China could have triggered a panic buying spree that would have sent prices skyrocketing. Instead, Beijing took the opposite approach, cutting crude oil imports by roughly 32% in the second quarter, from 12 million barrels per day to just 8.1 million barrels per day.

    Two core strategic policies have allowed this measured response. First, over the past decade, China has built up a record strategic petroleum reserve estimated at 1.4 billion barrels. Drawing on these stockpiles eliminated the need for China to enter an already tight global market to purchase overpriced crude. Second, China’s rapid push for energy transition — including mass adoption of electric vehicles and rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity — has reduced domestic demand for fossil fuels, lowering its overall dependence on foreign oil imports even as economic growth continues.

    The ripple effect of China’s demand reduction has been felt globally. By cutting its own purchases at the exact moment Middle Eastern supply contracted, China kept global price gains relatively muted. Instead of spiking to $150 per barrel, Brent crude has held steady around the $100 per barrel mark, avoiding the catastrophic shock many forecasters predicted.

    ### China’s Move Is Driven by Self-Interest, Not Altruism
    Analysts stress that China’s strategy is not a goodwill gesture to the U.S. or incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump, but a calculated move rooted in Beijing’s own national economic and strategic interests. A global recession triggered by sky-high oil prices would hit China’s export-dependent economy disproportionately hard, threatening domestic growth and social stability. Additionally, the build-up of China’s massive oil reserves was already a core component of Xi Jinping’s five-year national security and contingency planning, developed in large part to prepare for potential conflicts and supply disruptions, including tensions over the Taiwan issue. The fact that these reserves are now proving critical during a Middle Eastern supply crisis has vindicated Beijing’s long-term strategic approach in the eyes of Chinese policymakers.

    ### The Fragile Stability: Risks Loom for Sustaining the Balance
    Despite the current calm, the global energy market remains extremely vulnerable, and the sustainability of China’s stabilizing strategy is already under growing pressure. Recent attacks by pro-Iranian militias have shut down alternative supply routes, including the major Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, while Houthi operations continue to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another critical global energy chokepoint. As China draws down its reserves to avoid market purchases, it will eventually need to re-enter the market to replenish its stockpiles, creating new upward pressure on prices.

    Analysts at institutions including Bank of America warn that if Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues and China resumes large-scale imports, prices could still jump to between $95 and $120 per barrel, and even hit the previously predicted $150 per barrel mark if further escalation occurs.

    ### Geopolitical Tensions Cast Shadow Over Upcoming Trump-Xi Summit
    The unfolding energy crisis has also complicated diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China, casting a shadow over the upcoming planned summit between President Trump and President Xi in Washington. For Trump, high domestic gasoline prices represent a major political liability for his Republican Party ahead of elections. The president is currently walking a fine line between preserving the fragile existing trade relationship with China and maintaining pressure on Beijing to join U.S. efforts to economically isolate Iran.

    Beijing has pushed back firmly against U.S. demands, opposing American secondary sanctions on countries that continue to trade with Iran, and calling for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. For his part, Trump has adopted a pragmatic approach to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing: he has downplayed reports of potential Chinese support to Iran, including allegations of shared intelligence such as satellite imagery, while repeatedly emphasizing that energy markets have been less severely impacted than initial forecasts predicted.

    Six months into the ongoing Middle East conflict, oil prices have remained anchored around $100 per barrel, a stability that can be traced almost entirely to China’s massive strategic reserves and disciplined import cuts. For now, this has kept a lid on global inflationary pressures that would have otherwise squeezed economies around the world. But this balance is inherently temporary. As Chinese reserves dwindle and conflict escalation continues in the Middle East, economic and diplomatic pressure on both Washington and Beijing is set to grow in the coming months.

  • Eerste geval van vogelgriep vastgesteld: LVV grijpt in, voedselvoorziening niet in gevaar

    Eerste geval van vogelgriep vastgesteld: LVV grijpt in, voedselvoorziening niet in gevaar

    Suriname has recorded its first official case of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza, marking the arrival of the regional virus outbreak that has already impacted neighboring nations across South America. The infection was first detected at a commercial broiler chicken farm located in the capital city of Paramaribo, where between 5,000 and 6,000 birds have died from the virus. In immediate response, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) activated its emergency protocol and rolled out a series of strict control measures to halt further spread of the pathogen throughout the national poultry sector.

    Addressing public and industry concerns, Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim emphasized that the country’s national supply of chicken meat remains secure and is not under threat from the outbreak. As of the latest update, the infection has been contained to the single Paramaribo commercial farm. A small number of poultry shipments that had already been transported to the Wanica and Commewijne districts before the outbreak was detected have since been located and culled by authorities to prevent further spread. A suspected case at a small-scale duck farm in Saramacca is currently undergoing further testing to confirm whether it is linked to the Paramaribo outbreak.

    Preliminary laboratory analysis conducted jointly by the Bureau of Public Health (BOG) and the Ministry of Public Health has found no evidence of human infection. All test results from samples collected from personnel who were exposed to infected birds have returned negative.

    Edmund Rozenblad, a veterinary surgeon and senior advisor to the agriculture minister, has moved to reassure consumers about the safety of commercially available poultry. “The current challenge is limited to poultry producers, not end consumers,” Rozenblad explained. “All chicken meat available in retail outlets is safe for human consumption as long as it is cooked thoroughly.” He did, however, issue a clear warning against a common unsafe practice among some consumers: tasting raw, marinated chicken during food preparation to check seasoning.

    A coordinated national response effort is now underway, led by the LVV alongside the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR) and international health and agriculture partners. Over the critical 24 to 72-hour window following the confirmation of the outbreak, response teams have outlined three core priorities. First, they are ramping up surveillance and contact tracing, with intensive monitoring of all high-risk poultry farms and field workers who may have been exposed to the virus. Second, authorities are scaling up biosecurity and disinfection protocols, tightening hygiene standards across all commercial poultry operations nationwide. Third, response teams are working to secure additional supplies of diagnostic testing materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers.

    Suriname is one of the final countries in the South American region to confirm an H5 avian influenza outbreak, after neighboring nations including Brazil previously reported widespread outbreaks among poultry and wild bird populations. Minister Noersalim noted that the country had already implemented a series of preventive measures ahead of the first confirmed case, including a ban on imports of poultry products from the European Union, the establishment of a dedicated veterinary border checkpoint at Stolkerstijver, and biosecurity training for more than 3,000 workers across the poultry sector.

    Looking ahead, the LVV will hold a meeting with representatives from the entire national poultry sector on Monday to discuss market stabilization alternatives and evaluate support for producers affected by the outbreak, including plans for financial compensation for losses incurred during culling and containment operations.

  • GranMorgu halverwege, eerste olie in 2028

    GranMorgu halverwege, eerste olie in 2028

    Suriname’s landmark first large-scale offshore oil development, the GranMorgu project, has hit a key milestone, completing half of its planned work and remaining on schedule to deliver its first commercial crude oil by mid-2028, project leaders announced during a joint progress briefing hosted at the Kuldipsingh Port Facility over the weekend. The event, themed “A New Dawn Taking Shape”, brought together executives from lead developer TotalEnergies and Suriname’s national oil company Staatsolie, along with Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons, to outline both the project’s advancement and the critical preparations the South American nation must complete to capitalize on the expected new oil wealth.

    The billion-dollar GranMorgu development encompasses the Sapakara and Krabdagu oil fields, located roughly 150 kilometers off Suriname’s northern coast. As the project’s operator, TotalEnergies holds a 40% working stake in the development, alongside APA Corporation which also owns 40%, while Staatsolie retains the remaining 20% interest. To date, around half of the project’s total planned investment has been deployed. At full operational capacity, the project’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel will be capable of processing 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

    Visitors to the Kuldipsingh Port Facility can already see tangible signs of the massive technical operation taking shape: subsea equipment manufactured in Malaysia, including wellhead components, Christmas tree systems (heavy subsea installations fitted with valves, monitoring sensors and control systems to regulate and secure production from individual oil wells), and other parts of the offshore subsea pipeline network are currently staged on site ahead of their upcoming deployment to the seabed. During a pre-event tour of the facility, President Simons noted that the physical presence of this large-scale equipment makes the project’s progress tangible, confirming how far the development has advanced in recent years.

    Beyond the construction and engineering milestones, project stakeholders emphasized that the rapidly developing oil sector presents Suriname with urgent, large-scale challenges that must be addressed to ensure widespread shared economic benefit. The top priority is expanding vocational and technical training programs to build a skilled local workforce capable of supporting the new industry. The project will require trained workers for roles across construction, logistics, maintenance and offshore operations, with a focus on both technical vocational skills and academic training. TotalEnergies estimates that the GranMorgu project will generate between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in local economic activity, and support more than 6,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs across Suriname. President Simons stressed that oil development does not automatically translate to broad-based prosperity: young Surinamese will need to pursue targeted training and certification to access the new job opportunities created by the industry.

    Staatsolie CEO Anand Jagesar also warned of the macroeconomic risks that accompany a sudden influx of oil revenue. A rapid flood of foreign capital and foreign workers could drive a sharp increase in domestic demand, pushing up prices for housing, hospitality, and other consumer goods and services, potentially crowding out existing non-oil sectors. To mitigate this risk, Jagesar pointed to Suriname’s Savings and Stabilization Fund, designed to prevent all future oil revenue from flooding into the domestic economy all at once. While legislation establishing the fund was updated and enacted by the end of 2024, the International Monetary Fund confirmed in May 2025 that while Suriname has taken important legislative steps, the full operationalization of the fiscal framework for the fund is still incomplete.

    When asked to rate Suriname’s current level of preparation for the launch of offshore oil production, Jagesar gave the country a score of 6.5 out of 10. He noted that there is broad buy-in for the project across government, the private sector and civil society, but the country needs to reach a preparation level of 8.5 out of 10, with significant work still required to expand training programs, upgrade infrastructure, and deepen professionalization across supporting sectors. Even so, Jagesar observed that local Surinamese companies are already investing in upgrades and adapting to meet the strict international standards required by the offshore oil industry.

    GranMorgu may also just be the beginning of Suriname’s offshore oil sector. TotalEnergies is continuing its exploration activities in Block 58, where GranMorgu is located, with four new exploration wells scheduled to be drilled in 2026. Jagesar expressed ambition that new discoveries could support the development of a second FPSO in the block, expanding Suriname’s long-term oil production capacity.

  • Amoni Afonsoewa pakt eerste prijs in ratingcategorie op internationaal damtoernooi

    Amoni Afonsoewa pakt eerste prijs in ratingcategorie op internationaal damtoernooi

    An international draughts tournament held from September 9 to 17 in Trinidad and Tobago has delivered a historic win for Team Suriname, with Amoni Afonsoewa securing first place in the highly competitive 2000–2099 rating category.

    Hosted over nine days of intense, strategic play, the tournament drew a diverse field of top draughts competitors from across the globe. Suriname’s national delegation, led by the Suriname Draughts Federation (SDB), held its own against elite international opposition, with Afonsoewa delivering the squad’s standout individual performance. In addition to Afonsoewa’s category win, Arief Salarbaks and Niaaz Salarbaks turned in strong consistent play to finish as the highest-ranked Surinamese competitors in the tournament’s open overall standings.

    Another notable milestone from the tournament came from Suriname’s Phavan Basdewsingh, who submitted an official application during the event for the prestigious international title of Candidate Master of the FMJD (CMF). If approved, the title will mark a major career milestone for Basdewsingh, elevating his standing in international draughts. One of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups saw Basdewsingh go head-to-head against former world champion Guntis Valneris of Latvia, highlighting the high caliber of competition Surinamese players faced over the nine-day event.

    Looking back on the team’s participation, the Suriname Draughts Federation expressed deep satisfaction with the delegation’s performance. Officials emphasized that the squad represented Suriname with honor and dignity, and beyond the tangible tournament results, the invaluable high-level international competition experience gained will be transformative for the long-term growth of the country’s draughts athletes.

    “Competing at events like this gives our players the unique chance to test their skills against competitors of varying skill levels and contrasting playing styles,” SDB representatives noted. The federation underscored that the experience gained at the Trinidad and Tobago tournament will directly contribute to the ongoing development and expansion of draughts as a competitive sport across Suriname, laying stronger groundwork for future international successes.

  • Jagesar: Spin-off GranMorgu nu al merkbaar, aandacht verschuift ook naar gas

    Jagesar: Spin-off GranMorgu nu al merkbaar, aandacht verschuift ook naar gas

    Even though first commercial oil production from Suriname’s landmark GranMorgu offshore oil project is not slated to begin until 2028, the economic ripple effects of the Block 58 development are already being felt across the country, according to Anand Jagesar, chief executive officer of state-owned energy firm Staatsolie.

    During a recent site visit to the Kuldipsingh Port Facility, where key subsea infrastructure components for the $X billion project are currently being prepped for deployment, Jagesar noted that roughly 700 local Surinamese workers are already employed in onshore activities tied to the offshore project alone. The large equipment currently staged on land at the port will eventually be installed on the ocean floor, where it will remain as a core part of the project’s production system for decades to come.

    Jagesar broke down GranMorgu into three core integrated components: a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel currently under construction in China, reservoir wells drilled beneath the seabed, and the subsea infrastructure that connects the producing wells to the FPSO. “This is the last time this equipment will be seen on land. It will operate on the ocean floor for the next 50 years, generating production and revenue for our nation,” Jagesar stated of the components staged at the port facility. Staatsolie holds a 20% stake in the GranMorgu development, and additionally fulfills regulatory and oversight responsibilities for petroleum activities across the country as a state-owned entity.

    Beyond the project’s long-term revenue potential, Jagesar emphasized that it is already driving tangible improvements to local livelihoods through job creation. With 700 direct positions already filled by Surinamese workers at the port facility alone, he calculated that approximately 3,000 household members are already benefiting from the project’s early-stage activities. Looking ahead, the company has set an ambition to grow the total number of direct local jobs tied to the development of the country’s offshore energy sector to roughly 2,000 once the project progresses toward full operation.

    Jagesar added that the economic spillover from GranMorgu extends far beyond direct project employment. Local service providers and businesses across multiple non-energy sectors are already seeing increased activity tied to the growing oil and gas industry. Hotels, restaurants, and local transport services in particular have benefited from the influx of international energy conferences, foreign corporate delegations, and expert personnel traveling to Suriname to support the project’s development.

    At the same time, Jagesar argued that national energy development conversations should not focus exclusively on oil. He pointed to recent major natural gas discoveries in Suriname’s offshore waters, saying these reserves deserve far greater attention in strategic discussions about the future of the country’s energy sector. To advance this agenda, he is considering organizing a dedicated new energy conference. Unlike previous industry gatherings, which centered heavily on offshore oil discoveries and the progress of the GranMorgu development, the next event would place a sharp focus on natural gas and its commercial development opportunities. The country’s strategic focus is gradually shifting away from solely launching its first large-scale offshore oil production toward mapping out the next steps to unlock full value from both its oil and gas reserves, Jagesar noted.

  • Suriname en Guyana willen gezamenlijk optrekken op markt voor carbon credits

    Suriname en Guyana willen gezamenlijk optrekken op markt voor carbon credits

    Two neighboring South American nations, forest-rich Suriname and Guyana, are moving to deepen cross-border cooperation, with a landmark proposal to boost their collective negotiating power in the fast-growing global carbon credit market taking center stage during a high-stakes diplomatic event this week.

    On Wednesday, the plan for a unified, single-voice approach to the international carbon credit sector was formally brought forward during the credential presentation ceremony for newly appointed Surinamese Ambassador Ivan Fernald to Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The accreditation formalizes Fernald’s role as Suriname’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Guyana; he was officially sworn into the post by Suriname President Jennifer Simons on August 21.

    Following the formal credential ceremony, leaders from both nations held closed-door bilateral talks focused on expanding the long-standing partnership between the two countries. According to official statements released after the meeting, President Ali acknowledged that minor bilateral challenges remain between the neighbors, but emphasized that shared priorities make coordinated action critical for advancing regional integration across South America. President Ali specifically highlighted his priority of deepening people-to-people ties and cultural collaboration between the two nations’ populations as a core pillar of closer relations.

    On Suriname’s behalf, Ambassador Fernald laid out a broad, ambitious economic cooperation agenda covering multiple high-impact sectors. Key priorities identified for joint work include advancing shared food security, upgrading cross-border logistics and transport connectivity, expanding collaboration in the oil and gas sector, and investing in human capital development. The framework also includes planned cooperation in education, aligned labor market policy, and joint initiatives to expand the pool of skilled skilled workers across both countries.

    Among the most consequential topics discussed was unlocking the economic potential of the two countries’ extensive intact tropical forest ecosystems, which rank among the largest and most biodiverse on Earth. To maximize the value of these natural assets on the global carbon market, Suriname proposed that the governments of Paramaribo and Georgetown coordinate all activities and speak with one voice when engaging international buyers and regulatory bodies.

    President Ali issued a positive initial response to the Surinamese proposal. He also raised the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) during the conversation, calling on both nations to sign onto the alliance as a concrete step to formalize their expanded environmental partnership. The two countries already have a long history of cross-sector cooperation, with energy collaboration a long-standing standing point of their bilateral agenda. In a previous joint statement alongside Brazil, Suriname and Guyana agreed to deepen joint work on oil and gas development, renewable energy expansion, and broader regional energy integration.

    Ahead of the formal credential presentation at President Ali’s office, Ambassador Fernald held a preliminary meeting with Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He was accompanied to the official accreditation ceremony by two fellow Surinamese diplomats, Melinda Reijme and Lucill Starke-Esajas.