Offshore activities off the coast of Suriname will receive a new boost in December 2026. Two drilling rigs of the American company Noble Corporation, the Noble Valiant and the Noble Discoverer, will then begin an extensive drilling programme on behalf of TotalEnergies. The activities form part of the further development of Suriname’s offshore oil sector.
According to a report by OilNOW Noble Corporation confirmed the planned start of drilling activities in its fleet report of 26 October 2026.
Both rigs have contracts to drill sixteen wells. The contracts each have a duration of approximately 1,060 days, meaning that the activities are expected to continue until the fourth quarter of 2029. In addition, the agreements include options to drill a further four additional wells per rig.
Modern drilling rigs deployed
The Noble Valiant is a seventh-generation drillship, built in 2014. The vessel can operate in water depths of up to approximately 3,658 metres.
The Noble Discoverer is a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling platform, built in 2009. This rig is suitable for operations in water depths of up to approximately 3,048 metres.
With the deployment of both rigs, offshore drilling capacity off the Surinamese coast will be expanded.
GranMorgu preparations in full swing
The announced drilling campaign coincides with the further development of the GranMorgu project in Block 58, which is being carried out by TotalEnergies.
Within this project, the Sapakara and Krabdagu oil discoveries are being developed. Production will use a floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), with a planned production capacity of up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day.
First oil production from GranMorgu is scheduled for 2028.
TotalEnergies announced in September that preparations for the drilling and offshore installation activities were progressing according to schedule. At the time, it was indicated that these activities would begin in early 2027.
Noble Corporation’s latest schedule now provides for the start of drilling campaigns in December 2026.
Offshore development towards first oil
The development of GranMorgu is regarded as an important step in establishing Suriname as an offshore oil-producing country. In addition to future oil production, the project entails extensive activities in drilling, maritime services, logistics and offshore infrastructure.
With the planned deployment of the Noble Valiant and Noble Discoverer, implementation of the drilling programme comes one step closer, while TotalEnergies works towards first oil production in 2028.
