APA Corporation today announced drilling success and updated the status of its appraisal program offshore Suriname in Block 58. As previously noted, the primary objective of the first phase of the appraisal drilling program is to deliver a fast-track, black oil development.

Sapakara South-1, an appraisal well located on the eastern edge of the Sapakara area, encountered approximately 30 meters (98 feet) of net black oil pay in a single zone of high-quality Campano-Maastrichtian reservoir. This result marks another important step toward a commercial oil development in the southeast portion of Block 58. The Maersk Valiant will soon mobilize to the next exploration prospect at Bonboni, approximately 45 kilometers to the north, before returning later in the year to flow test Sapakara South-1.

A second appraisal well encountered two thin intervals of black oil above water in the Campano-Maastrichtian at Kwaskwasi, impacting a small portion of the eastern edge of Kwaskwasi. The Campano-Maastrichtian intervals at Kwaskwasi and the Sapakara South-1 discovery are separate and unrelated.

APA Corporation President and CEO John J. Christmann IV commented, 
“We are very encouraged by the initial appraisal, having confirmed 30 meters of a single, blocky sand that is full to base with black oil. These are the characteristics necessary to accelerate development in this area of Block 58, which has high prospect density. We are excited to explore the northern portion of the block at Bonboni and look forward to continuing our appraisal program, including a flow test of Sapakara South-1 before year-end.”

APA Suriname holds a 50% working interest in Block 58, with TotalEnergies, the operator, holding a 50% working interest.

Suriname operations

In Suriname, APA Corporation has a leading position in arguably the most watched new basin on the globe. Those assets were transferred to APA Corporation Suriname in 2021.

Apache entered Suriname after winning bids for Block 53 and Block 58 offshore in 2012 and 2015, respectively.

The company expanded its understanding of the basin through extensive geologic modeling and seismic acquisition. In 2019, Apache began drilling the Maka Central-1 well in Block 58 and subsequently brought in Total S.A. as a 50-50 Joint Venture partner to explore and develop the block. The partners have announced several discoveries beginning with Maka Central-1 in January 2020.

Block 58 comprises 1.4 million acres. APA Corporation, Suriname also owns a 45% interest in Block 53, which covers 867,000 acres.

KeyFacts Energy:   APA Suriname country profile   l   Total Suriname country profile