Chevron is to drill the Korikori-1 exploration well towards the latter part of this August, Suriname state-owned oil company Staatsolie has announced. Drilling will be carried out some 78 km offshore north-central Block 5 in a water depth of around 40 m. Chevron holds a 40% working interest operating the block with Paradise Oil Company (POC, 40%) and QatarEnergy (20%).
Suriname National Environmental Authority (NMA) granted Chevron a permit last July 2025. Noble Regina Allen jack-up rig will be arriving next month and will begin operations. The drilling will be for 90 days and would be devoted to testing for prospective hydrocarbon accumulations in the shallow offshore part of the Suriname-Guyana basin. Well data will be analyzed after drilling in an attempt to assess the presence, quality, and prospective volume of hydrocarbons.
Korikori-1 campaign is a large-scale sequel to Suriname's drawn-out offshore exploration campaign, after a series of promising deepwater discoveries in offsetting blocks. Block 5 has approximately 2,200 km² of 30-60 m water depth and 45-82 km off shore, north of western Suriname's Nickerie district.
Surinamese onshore man power transport, fuel, provisions, and Paramaribo logistics will provide Chevron's offshore drilling activity. Staatsolie proved that the campaign would increase the share of local content as Surinamese contractors and vendors were provided with the chance to participate in offshore support services.
Korikori-1 outcome would also be reflecting Suriname's shallow-water block hydrocarbon potential and continuing exploration and appraisal within the greater Suriname–Guyana Basin, which has been the most closely tracked frontier region in offshore world exploration.