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TotalEnergies and APA will drill an appraisal well at Sapakara South later this year (Images: APA)
Since the results of this appraisal drilling pro- drill additional wells before proceeding to the
gramme may not be available before the end of FID stage. Without the results from these pro-
2022, he explained, the French major is likely grammes, which will include a number of risky
to push its decision back. “We think this keeps operations, TotalEnergies will not be in a posi-
APA and its partners progressing toward FID, tion to take the next step toward a decision, he
but that could be a 2023 event,” he stated. explained.
As of press time, neither TotalEnergies nor its “We do not know what the future would be,”
partner had commented on the matter. he told OilNOW.gy. “We are in [the] exploration
Surinamese authorities are hoping for a and appraisal [phase] with some risky wells. So
quick FID on Block 58. For example, at the we are waiting.”
Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Conference TotalEnergies and APA have split equity in
(SEOGS), which was held in Paramaribo in the Block 58 project on a 50:50 basis. The French
June, government officials said that they would major is serving as operator of the offshore site.
like to see TotalEnergies take this step before the The partners have struck out twice at Block
end of this year, thereby allowing production to 58, finding sub-commercial oil reserves at Bon-
start in 2025. Meeting this deadline would make boni-1 in 2021 and encountering only water at
Block 58 the second-fastest upstream develop- Dikkop-1 earlier this summer. They have also
ment project to come on stream following the made multiple commercial discoveries there –
Stabroek scheme offshore Guyana, they noted. Maka Central, Kwaskwasi, Sapakara Central,
However, TotalEnergies appears to be taking Keskesi, Sapakara South and Krabdagu. All of
a more cautious approach. Philippe Blanchard, the commercial finds are along the same trend-
the general manager of the French giant’s line, while the Dikkop prospect is about 17 km
TotalEnergies EP subsidiary, said shortly after north of the other wells and Bonboni lies even
the SEOGS conference that his company would further to the north of the block. ™

BRAZIL
Brazil’s energy minister criticises Lula’s

opposition to privatisation of Petrobras

BRAZIL’S Minister of Mines and Energy Ado- In an interview with Bloomberg published
lfo Sachsida has criticised Luiz Inacio Lula da August 26, Sachsida dismissed Lula’s claim that
Silva, the top-polling candidate in the country’s tighter state control would bring domestic fuel
upcoming presidential election, for his call to prices down by reversing earlier cost cuts and
keep the national oil company (NOC) Petrobras ensuring that Petrobras processes more of the
under government ownership. oil it produces.

Week 35 31•August•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P11